Jaffe, Lionel F (Francis) (1927– )

US cell biologist who invented the vibrating probe for measuring natural electric currents through living cells in 1974. He became director of the National Vibrating Probe Facility at Woods Hole, Massachusetts in 1982, and adjunct professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts in 1990. He made major contributions to studies of bioelectric and ionic aspects of development, cellular tropism, and calcium ion waves and gradients.

He was born in New York City. After studying marine biology on several fellowships, he was an assistant professor at Brandeis University, Massachusetts 1956–60. He was at the University of Pennsylvania 1960–67, then Purdue 1967–84.