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.

Chile-ing out–part 2

Posted on 31 July 2011 by Steve Caplan

As we here in the American middle west gear up for another heat wave, with heat indices slated to range from 105-115 deg. F (due to the unusual humidity), I thought that I would share another few images of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Chile, lava, out-of-shape-scientist, science, student, travel, vacation, Villarica, volcano | Comments Off on Chile-ing out–part 2

A pinch of salt in the lab

Posted on 29 July 2011 by Steve Caplan

Ever see those amazing deaf-defying (thank you, Grant!) death-defying feats and the announcer at the end says: “Do not attempt to do this at home?” Well, do not attempt to do this in your lab.

Posted in beyond a shadow of a doubt, brilliant strategist, darkroom, ECL, education, Film, gel electrophoresis, graduate, humor, mentor, Ph.D., Research, science, stealing, student, worth your weight in salt, you taka-me-buffer? | Comments Off on A pinch of salt in the lab

Chile-ing out

Posted on 25 July 2011 by Steve Caplan

This post comes on the heels of the heat wave that we’ve been suffering through (and my dreams of glaciers and mountains), here in the American Middle-West, which in itself comes in the wake of the flood. It also comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Chile, glaciers, hiking, peaks, science, taking a break, Torres del Paine, vacations | Comments Off on Chile-ing out

It is what it is

Posted on 19 July 2011 by Steve Caplan

As a scientist who spends a lot of time looking at data, I sometimes feel that we venture into an area where we are in danger of over-interpreting our results. On the one hand, it is a perfectly natural and … Continue reading →

Posted in ball-into-the-back-of-the-net, education, eric idle, european football, humor, idee fixe, john cleese, monty python, philosophical overtones, Proustian display of modern existentialist football, Research, science, Silliness, thick-headed footballers and scientists | Comments Off on It is what it is

Where have all the good times gone?

Posted on 17 July 2011 by Steve Caplan

I recently spent a wonderful vacation in Washington, DC–replacing a planned driving trip to Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado and some of the nearby parks in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. All because of a pain in the neck, that … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, education, icons of truth, lab, pain in the neck, Research, science, scientist are great-pat on the back, Smithsonian museums, Washington DC | Comments Off on Where have all the good times gone?

Mr. President, can you save science, please?

Posted on 12 July 2011 by Steve Caplan

Scientists love to complain. That is not to say that they enjoy the situation that they are complaining about, but to me it seems as though in the US there is a level of fatalism that translates into inertia. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Arthur Kornberg, basic research, education, help-I-need somebody, inertia, Mr. President, nobel prize winner, Research, science, will someone save science?, witchcraft | Comments Off on Mr. President, can you save science, please?

Nicosia, there I went…

Posted on 9 July 2011 by Steve Caplan

A short time ago Larnaca, Cyprus made the news for holding a large civilian wedding for multiple couples from Israel. I have already blogged about the discriminatory policy that a successful start-up country and high-tech power such as Israel has … Continue reading →

Posted in civil marriage, civil rights, Cyprus, Israel, nobel prize, rabbinical establishment, religion, start-up country, women, zealots | Comments Off on Nicosia, there I went…

The horrible F-word

Posted on 4 July 2011 by Steve Caplan

A week ago I returned from Washington DC from an NIH grant review session. At NIH, the forbidden F–word, is of course “funded.” However, as bad as the funding is right now, sometimes we scientists need to put things in … Continue reading →

Posted in aerial view, breach, dam, disaster, flood, Iowa, levee, Missouri River, Nebraska, omaha, South Dakota, under water | Comments Off on The horrible F-word

Bathroom breaks and other news of the day

Posted on 3 July 2011 by Steve Caplan

I’ve come to the realization that a little chronic pain can be good for the soul. That is, if the chronic is not too chronic. Readers of this blog may remember my whining and complaining about neck pain—a recovery and … Continue reading →

Posted in bathroom, bladder, cheat notes, cheating, crappy exams, education, I-was-blind-and-now-I-can-see, neck pain, pain in the neck, physical therapy, Research, restroom, rustling papers in the stall, science, stretch | Comments Off on Bathroom breaks and other news of the day

Best Protein Names–the winners!

Posted on 2 July 2011 by Steve Caplan

Recently, we announced a competition for the best/funniest protein names. Now, after great debate among the professional judges, I am proud to report the winning protein names for this year’s contest. Drumroll, please… First Place: INDY-I’m not dead yet from … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, monty python, proteins, Research, science, Silliness | Comments Off on Best Protein Names–the winners!