Associate Professor and Reader
CONTACT DETAILS:
Address: School of
Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
Room: 267
Email: mlgee@unimelb.edu.au
Teaching responsibilities
Field of expertise Soft Condensed Matter
The Soft Condensed Matter Group has a strong emphasis on understanding the behaviour of molecular and macromolecular assemblies at interfaces. We are interested in intermolecular interactions at an interface and their impact on macromolecular adsorption, ligand-receptor interactions in signal transduction, self-assembled structures and phases such as membranes and micelles, and dynamics in thin liquid films. Details of specific projects are set out below. We are an experimental-based group that utilises and develops state-of-the art optical, imaging and spectroscopic methods.
Current projects in the Soft Condensed Matter Group are:
Film drainage and the spreading of fluid films
The interplay between fluid flow surface and intermolecular forces at a deformable liquid-liquid interface is a key factor in understanding the structure and behaviour of microemulsions. In particular, we are interested in the dynamics of surface active molecules through Marangoni stresses and mass transfer across the interface.(1) Marangoni stresses also contribute to the dynamics and structure of spreading surfactant nano-films. We are interested in how a pre-wet surface influences thin film spreading. This is important in areas as diverse as magnetic data storage and the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in infants.
Molecular assemblies
In a new collaboration with Bristol University, we are investigating the structure and polymer chain dynamics of polymer microgel films, a new type of soft material. These films have potential use in catalysis and environmental remediation. (2) We are also looking tuning phase behaviour/structural changes of diblock copolymers that, through self-assembly, have potential as targeted drug delivery systems. (3) In collaboration with the Ludwig Institute we probe protein and peptide conformation and chain dynamics at a surface to help understand the specificity of the biosurface-protein interaction and signal transduction via transmembrane proteins.(4) Self-assembled phospholipid bilayers are multi-component structures that act as cell membrane mimics. We use fluorescence and imaging methods to study the different phase domains in these structures.
Cell membrane structure and elasticity
Mesoporous materials
In collaboration with the Department of Chemical Engineering and Food Science Australia, we are investigating the fine structure of mesoporous silicates through positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and x-ray scattering and are contributing to their development. These are a new class of materials that have potential application in separations science.
For more information, visit our website: SCM research group page
Selected
Publications:
- Goodall, D.G.; Gee, M.L.; Stevens, G.W., Langmuir, 2002, 18, 4729
- Maurdev, G.; Gee, M.L.; Meagher, L., J. Adhesion, 2003, 79, 937
- Nelson, A.; Schulz, J.; McLean, S.C.; Gee, M.L., J. Phys. Chem. Submitted.
- Gee, M.L.; Smith, T.A.; Lensun, L.; Scholes, C., Eur. Biophysics J., 2004, 33, 130
- Daehler, A.; Boskovic, S.; Gee, M.L.; Separovic, F.; Stevens, G.W.; O’Connor, A.J., J. Phys. Chem. B, 2005, 109, 245
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