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Seok-Yong Lee

George Barth Geller Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology
Biochemistry
Duke Box 3711, Sands 269, Durham, NC 27710
269 Sands, 303 Research Dr, Durham, NC 27710

Current Appointments & Affiliations


George Barth Geller Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology · 2023 - Present Biochemistry, Basic Science Departments
Professor of Biochemistry · 2020 - Present Biochemistry, Basic Science Departments
Professor of Cell Biology · 2022 - Present Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments
Professor in Neurobiology · 2024 - Present Neurobiology, Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2012 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published May 4, 2023
Duke Awards 44 Distinguished Professorships
Published January 24, 2023
Cold Comfort
Published December 19, 2019
Cryo-Electron Microscope Captures Details of the ‘Wasabi Sensor’

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Recent Publications


Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Lipid-Modified Derivatives of Tunicamycins.

Journal Article Chemistry · October 22, 2025 Naturally occurring antibiotic tunicamycin targets bacterial peptidoglycan biosynthesis by inhibiting bacterial phospho-N-acetylmuraminic acid (MurNAc)-pentapeptide translocase (MraY), but it also inhibits human UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc): polyprenol ... Full text Link to item Cite

Molecular basis of the urate transporter URAT1 inhibition by gout drugs.

Journal Article Nat Commun · June 4, 2025 Hyperuricemia is a condition when uric acid, a waste product of purine metabolism, accumulates in the blood. Untreated hyperuricemia can lead to crystal formation of monosodium urate in the joints, causing a painful inflammatory disease known as gout. Thes ... Full text Link to item Cite

Molecular basis of neurosteroid and anticonvulsant regulation of TRPM3.

Journal Article Nat Struct Mol Biol · May 2025 Transient receptor potential channel subfamily M member 3 (TRPM3) is a Ca2+-permeable cation channel activated by the neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate (PregS) or heat, serving as a nociceptor in the peripheral sensory system. Recent discoveries of autosom ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Structure, function, and pharmacology of sensory receptors

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2032

Neurobiology Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2024 - 2029

TRPM8 in eye health and disease

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2029

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of California, Berkeley · 2003 Ph.D.
Yonsei University (South Korea) · 1998 B.S.