The Project Symphony team publishes another research paper of 2022 in peer-reviewed Membrane Biology journal

Sunghee Lee • September 2, 2022

The Project Symphony is very proud to publish another peer-reviewed research article! It is the joyful product of our hard work and time spent in the laboratory over Summer 2021. The journal article is titled "Resveratrol decreases membrane water permeability: a study of cholesterol-dependent interactions", in The Journal of Membrane Biology, a Springer Publication.


This paper is coauthored by seven undergraduates, Jasmin Ceja-Vega ('23 Biochemistry), Escarlin Perez ('22 Biochemistry), Patrick Scollan (’21 Chemistry), Juan Rosario (’21 Chemistry), Alondra Gamez Hernandez ('23 Biochemistry), Katherine Ivanchenko (’23 Chemistry), Jamie Gudyka ('24 Biochemistry), under the mentorship of Dr. Sunghee Lee.


Resveratrol (RSV) is a biologically active plant phenol and is found in many foods, including grapes and red wine. It has been suggested that RSV has a broad range of beneficial pharmacological activities for potential therapeutic applications, as an antioxidant and anticarcinogenic agent. This study examines interactions of RSV with model membranes having varying concentrations of cholesterol (Chol), mimicking normal and cancerous cells. The perturbation of the model membrane by RSV is sensed by changes in water permeability parameters, using Droplet Interface Bilayer (DIB) models, thermotropic properties from Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and structural properties from confocal Raman spectroscopy. The nature and extent of interactions greatly depend on the presence and absence of Chol as well as the concentration of RSV. Combined results from these investigations highlight a differential effect of RSV on Chol-free and Chol-enriched membranes. These results provide increased understanding and effective use of resveratrol in disease therapy including cancer. 


Congratulations to the project team!

Recent Publication: How Tiny Molecules Shape the Flexibility of Cell Membranes

By Sunghee Lee • November 15, 2025
Our research team has uncovered new details about how small oil-like molecules influence the thickness and flexibility of cell membranes. These membranes, built from layers of lipids, contain tiny pockets of free space that help control how soft, dense, or permeable the membrane is. Our research team found that some smaller molecules can fit into these layers, making the membrane thicker, while larger or crystallizing ones get pushed out, leading to thinning. These changes help explain how different molecules inside a membrane affect its overall structure and function. This study not only expands our understanding of how biological membranes work but also points to new possibilities for creating custom-designed synthetic membranes for research and technology. Read more details here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcb.5c06296 Congratulations to the Project Symphpony team for their exciting findings and continued dedication to advancing membrane science!

Bacterial Membranes Meet PFAS: New Findings from the Project Symphony Lab

By Sunghee Lee • September 2, 2025
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our Project Symphony, undergrad-fueled research team, just published another article digging into how those stubborn “forever chemicals”, called perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, can mess with model bacterial membranes, making them leakier and less organized than before. It is alarming to discover that these chemicals actively change the physical properties of membranes, and different types of lipids respond in their own way to the disruption, meaning some bacteria could be more affected than others. What makes this work even more special is that our undergraduate team handled every step, and it’s now out there as open access for everyone to read—proof that curiosity and teamwork can lead to great science. The article is appeared in ACS Omega (on August 26, 2025), a publication of American Chemical Society (ACS). Please explore the article here: " Membrane-Modifying Effects of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Model Bacterial Membranes " https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c04177 Congratulations to Micaela, Amani, Jasmin, Jessica, Lizzy, Joey, and Jacqui for their enthusiasm and hard work leading to this contribution! Project Symphony’s journey continues—stay tuned for what’s next.

Celebrating a Remarkable Achievement by Our Undergraduate Research Team!

By Sunghee Lee • August 21, 2025
We are incredibly proud to announce that our talented Project Symphony undergraduate research team has just published a significant scientific article in the prestigious Journal of Physical Chemistry B, a leading journal published by the American Chemical Society in physical chemistry research. The newly published study, titled "Biophysical Consequences for Exposure of Model Cell Membranes to Perfluoroalkyl Substances," explores the complex interactions of widely used environmental chemicals (PFAS) with biological model membranes. This research addresses important health and environmental questions, employing various techniques to reveal how molecular structures of PFAS influence membrane properties and permeability. Please read: Biophysical Consequences for Exposure of Model Cell Membranes to Perfluoroalkyl Substances, J. Phys. Chem. B 2025, 129, 31, 7951–7963 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcb.5c02472 What makes this achievement truly exceptional is that the work was led and conducted by undergraduate researchers, demonstrating their brilliance and dedication to advancing scientific knowledge. Their contribution not only adds valuable insights into the field of environmental and physical chemistry but also sets an inspiring example of how undergraduate students can make impactful contributions to cutting-edge science. Congratulations to the entire team for this outstanding accomplishment! This publication is a testament to their hard work, curiosity, and the rigorous training they have received.
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