Hyunwook Lee

Hyunwook Lee, PhD

Research Assistant Professor

Dr. Lee is a Research Assistant Professor at The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota. He received his Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University under the mentorship of Dr. Susan Hafenstein. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of virus–host interactions, particularly viral receptor binding and antibody responses. He is an expert in cryo-electron microscopy and structural virology, with multiple atomic-resolution structures that have advanced our understanding of viral structure and host interactions. Dr. Lee is a leading researcher in the structural virology of parvoviruses. His current research is expanding toward the study and engineering of viral capsids for potential applications in cancer therapy.

Publications

  1. Lee H, Bieri J, Ammann N, Suter C, Hunziker D, Singh AK, et al. Transferrin receptor 1 binds human parvovirus B19 VP1u to facilitate entry. Nat Commun. 2026 Jun 11. doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74283-7 PubMed PMID: 42277060.
  2. López-Astacio RA, Wasik BR, Lee H, Voorhees IEH, Weichert WS, Adu OF, et al. Distinct evolutionary patterns of endemic and emerging parvoviruses and the origin of a new pandemic virus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2026 Apr 21;123(16):e2515274123. doi:10.1073/pnas.2515274123
  3. Adu OF, Lee H, Früh SP, Schoenle MV, Weichert WS, Flyak AI, et al. Structures and functions of the limited natural polyclonal antibody response to parvovirus infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2025 Feb 25;122(8):e2423460122. doi:10.1073/pnas.2423460122
  4. Lee H, Assaraf R, Subramanian S, Goetschius D, Bieri J, DiNunno NM, et al. Infectious parvovirus B19 circulates in the blood coated with active host protease inhibitors. Nat Commun. 2024 Nov 5;15(1):9543. doi:10.1038/s41467-024-53794-1 PubMed PMID: 39500886.
  5. López-Astacio RA, Adu OF, Lee H, Hafenstein SL, Parrish CR. The Structures and Functions of Parvovirus Capsids and Missing Pieces: the Viral DNA and Its Packaging, Asymmetrical Features, Nonprotein Components, and Receptor or Antibody Binding and Interactions. Glaunsinger BA, editor. J Virol. 2023 Jun 27;e00161-23. doi:10.1128/jvi.00161-23
  6. López-Astacio RA, Adu OF, Goetschius DJ, Lee H, Weichert WS, Wasik BR, et al. Viral Capsid, Antibody, and Receptor Interactions: Experimental Analysis of the Antibody Escape Evolution of Canine Parvovirus. Lowen AC, editor. J Virol. 2023 May 18;e00090-23. doi:10.1128/jvi.00090-23
  7. Charnesky AJ, Faust JE, Lee H, Puligedda RD, Goetschius DJ, DiNunno NM, et al. A human monoclonal antibody binds within the poliovirus receptor-binding site to neutralize all three serotypes. Nat Commun. 2023 Oct 10;14(1):6335. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-41052-9
  8. Lee H, Baxter AJ, Bator CM, Fane BA, Hafenstein SL. Cryo-EM Structure of Gokushovirus ΦEC6098 Reveals a Novel Capsid Architecture for a Single-Scaffolding Protein, Microvirus Assembly System. Frappier L, editor. J Virol. 2022 Oct 18;e00990-22. doi:10.1128/jvi.00990-22