NEURO
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KECK
GRANT (Neuroscience
and the Humanities)
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E. Lee Coates
Associate Professor of Biology
Mailing Address:
Biology Dept., Allegheny College
Meadville PA 16335
Phone: 814-332-5376
Fax: 814-332-2789
E-mail: lcoates@allegheny.edu
Office: Biology 319
Lee's
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Lee received a B.A. in Zoology from the University of Montana in 1983,
a Ph.D. in Physiology from the Universtiy of New Mexico in 1989, and
conducted postdoctoral research in the department of Physiology at Dartmouth
Medical School from 1989 to 1992. Lee teaches Animal Physiology, Cellular
Neurobiology, Introductory Biology, and Foundations of Neuroscience
I..
Lee's general research interests are neurophysiology and sesnory physiology.
Specifically, he is interested in the neural and chemical control of
breathing in vertebrates. Recent studies have shown that amphibians,
reptiles, and mammals depress breathing when CO2 is elevated in the
nasal cavities. This cessation of breathing is mediated by olfactory
receptors that are sensitive to CO2. Many of his students are researching
questions related to the function of this depression in breathing and
the cellular mechanisms by which the nasal receptors detect CO2. Several
students are also performing histological studies to determine the presence
of the enzyme, carbonic anhydrase in the nasal cavities of amphibians,
reptiles, and mammals. It is thought that this enzyme is required for
animals to detect elevated levels of nasal CO2. It is also believed
that these nasal CO2 receptors may play a role in Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome. Lee's hobbies are whitewater kayaking and woodworking.
