Author Archives: Steve Caplan

About Steve Caplan

I am a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska where I mentor a group of students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers working on endocytic protein trafficking. My first lablit novel, "Matter Over Mind," is about a biomedical researcher seeking tenure and struggling to overcome the consequences of growing up with a parent suffering from bipolar disorder. Lablit novel #2, "Welcome Home, Sir," published by Anaphora Literary Press, deals with a hypochondriac principal investigator whose service in the army and post-traumatic stress disorder actually prepare him well for academic, but not personal success. Novel #3, "A Degree of Betrayal," is an academic murder mystery. "Saving One" is my most recent novel set at the National Institutes of Health. Now IN PRESS: Today's Curiosity is Tomorrow's Cure: The Case for Basic Biomedical Research (CRC PRESS, 2021). https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B006CSULBW? All views expressed are my own, of course--after all, I hate advertising.

The Coronaviral lie detector

Posted on 1 March 2020 by Steve Caplan

Coronavirus cover from the Journal of Biological Chemistry’s virtual issues. Back in Oct. 2019, the Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler had counted 13,435 lies or false claims by President Donald Trump. They came in all shapes and sizes, large and small, … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronavirus, lies, Research, science, scientists | Comments Off on The Coronaviral lie detector

Does it pass the smell-test? Review of “The DNA of you and me”

Posted on 18 January 2020 by Steve Caplan

Moving into 2020, I realize that this is now my 10th year of blogging, a sport that I never really signed up for. In 2010, my daughter was 13 years old; now she is preparing for a series of interviews … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrea Rothman, author, fiction, lab, Lablit, novel, olfatory, postdoc, Research, reviews, science, sense of smell, smell test, student, The DNA of you and me | Comments Off on Does it pass the smell-test? Review of “The DNA of you and me”

The changing face of science

Posted on 15 December 2019 by Steve Caplan

This past week, I attended the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) & European Molecular Biology Organization’s annual meeting in Washington, DC. This is a meeting that I have been attending since 1997, almost every year since then—for 22 years. … Continue reading →

Posted in annual meeting, ASCB, ASCB 2019, DC, EMBO, meetings, post-doc, poster, Research, science, student, talk, Washington, Washington DC | Comments Off on The changing face of science

Important Takeaways from “The Discovery of Insulin” for Today’s Scientists

Posted on 20 October 2019 by Steve Caplan

Back in 2013 I visited the University of Toronto for a seminar and was given a very special gift by my gracious hosts: a copy of “The Discovery of Insulin” by Michael Bliss, which tells the fascinating story of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Banting, basic science, Best, book review, Collip, discovery, insulin, Macleod, Michael Bliss, pancreas, Research, reviews, science, takeaway, Toronto | Comments Off on Important Takeaways from “The Discovery of Insulin” for Today’s Scientists

Lost and Wanted—A review of a new LabLit novel

Posted on 6 September 2019 by Steve Caplan

Having recently finished the novel Lost and Wanted by Nell Freudenberger, I peeked at a smattering of the many reviews written about this novel, each claiming Lost and Wantedfor its own select cause: feminism/gender equality, race issues, friendship issues, parent-child issues … Continue reading →

Posted in education, Research, reviews, science | Comments Off on Lost and Wanted—A review of a new LabLit novel

The Renaissance and Preformation

Posted on 8 June 2019 by Steve Caplan

This is a tale of woes, and oh, what a tale. And it all begins with some introspection as to whether we, as human beings, are “preformed.” If we venture back a mere 350 years or so, to the time … Continue reading →

Posted in army, internet, Malpighi, microscope, morality, Preformation, Renaissance, Research, science | Comments Off on The Renaissance and Preformation

Life lessons learned–from others’ mistakes…

Posted on 27 April 2019 by Steve Caplan

I did not enjoy my service in the Israeli military between 1983-1986; in fact, I hated it. But I do know that it taught me many lessons, and I have long thought that my experiences in the army have helped … Continue reading →

Posted in army, electrophoresis, IDF, mistakes, Research, science, soldier | Comments Off on Life lessons learned–from others’ mistakes…

How far should students go in striving for professionalism?

Posted on 23 April 2019 by Steve Caplan

What is the beginning of eternity and the end of time? Sometimes the simplest answer is actually the right one: in this case, the letter “e.” Having served as chair of my departmental graduate and admissions committee, professionalism is an … Continue reading →

Posted in dissertation, education, jobs, PhD, professionalism, Research, science, seminars, students | Comments Off on How far should students go in striving for professionalism?

How *NOT* to deliver a seminar

Posted on 8 March 2019 by Steve Caplan

It seems that people are apt to try and recreate or relive their greatest successes, and it turns out that I am not immune to this behavior. Some years ago, a combination of exasperation and disbelief coupled with an attempt … Continue reading →

Posted in education, How NOT to get a lab job, how to deliver a presentation, How to give a seminar, humor, postdoc, postdoctoral fellow, presentation, Research, science, talk, tips on presenting a seminar | Comments Off on How *NOT* to deliver a seminar

Reinventing the Wheel

Posted on 1 January 2019 by Steve Caplan

CRISPR /Cas9 gene-editing: staying on top of technology is a full-time job for researchers New Year’s Eve has always been more of a time for reflection for me, rather than a time for partying. Perhaps this stems from growing up … Continue reading →

Posted in CRISPR/Cas9, principal investigator, Research, science, technology | Comments Off on Reinventing the Wheel