Jaffe, Lionel F.

Jaffe, Lionel F. (Francis)

(1927– ) cell biologist; born in New York City. After studying marine biology on several fellowships, he became an assistant professor at Brandeis University, Mass. (1956–60). He joined the University of Pennsylvania (1960–67), then Purdue (1967–84). He invented the vibrating probe for measuring natural electric currents through living cells (1974). He became director of the National Vibrating Probe Facility at Woods Hole, Mass. (1982), and adjunct professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts (1990). He made major contributions to studies of bioelectric and ionic aspects of development, cellular tropism, and calcium ion waves and gradients.