Scott Lee (Biological Physics and Condensed Matter
Physics)
Professor
of Physics
Ph.D., 1983, University of Cincinnati
DNA is arguably the most important molecule for life on Earth. Of particular
interest are the mechanisms by which DNA and RNA interact with other molecules.
Dr. Lee is using the vibrational spectroscopies of Raman scattering and
infrared absorption to study the microscopic interaction between DNA and water
as well as other ligand molecules. Vibrational spectroscopy provides a probe of the strength of such
interactions in addition to information about possible changes in the geometry
of DNA caused by the ligand binding. This information is crucial in understanding the exact mechanism by
which different drugs fight cancer as well as the biologically important
processes of replication and transcription.
Dinosaurs are fascinating creatures
of the Mesozoic Era. They include the
largest land animals ever to live. Dr. Lee applies the principles of physics to the fossil record to unlock some of
the secrets of the dinosaurs.
High Pressure diamond anvil
cell permit one to explore new phases of matter and to test the validity of
many-body theories over a wide range of lattice spacing. His current work
involves several areas of interest: pressure- induced amorphization,
semiconductor heterostructures, incommensurates
and ferroelectrics. Of particular interest in the lab are materials which
undergo reversible crystalline-to-amorphous transitions. Dr. Lee's work in
semiconductor heterostructures deals with determining
the exact alignments of the conduction and valence bands of the different
layers as well as their deformation potentials.