Skip to main content

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’

View All News

Recent Publications


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

Combined clinical, structural and cellular studies discriminate pathogenic and benign TRPV4 variants.

Journal Article Brain · February 3, 2025 Dominant mutations in the calcium-permeable ion channel TRPV4 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 4) cause diverse and largely distinct channelopathies, including inherited forms of neuromuscular disease, skeletal dysplasias and arthropathy. Pathogenic ... Full text Link to item Cite
View All Publications

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

View All Grants

Education, Training & Certifications


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