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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


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

Molecular basis of neurosteroid and anticonvulsant regulation of TRPM3.

Journal Article Nat Struct Mol Biol · January 14, 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

Design of an equilibrative nucleoside transporter subtype 1 inhibitor for pain relief.

Journal Article Nat Commun · December 30, 2024 The current opioid crisis urgently calls for developing non-addictive pain medications. Progress has been slow, highlighting the need to uncover targets with unique mechanisms of action. Extracellular adenosine alleviates pain by activating the adenosine A ... 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

TRPM8 in eye health and disease

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

Catalysis and inhibition of chitin synthesis from pathogenic fungi

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


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