Scientist at ASCB to talk cells and novels

Steve Caplan of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha is coming to the ASCB's 50th Annual Meeting to talk about cellular endocytic trafficking and about novel writing. Caplan has just self-published his first novel, Matter Over Mind, an extremely realistic portrait of a fictional biomedical researcher struggling with grant troubles, eccentric lab members, and troublesome colleagues, while personal problems pile up.

"In my 'day-job,' I'm an associate professor, a researcher and teacher in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UNMC," Caplan explains, "but I am also a newly published author." The hero of Mind Over Matter is Dr. Steve Miller, a 38-year old biomedical researcher, who is struggling for tenure, a cure for manic-depressive bipolar disorder, and balance in his life—not necessarily in that order. Says Caplan, "Matter Over Mind" is a multi-layered story that gives an in-depth but humorous view of academic scientists who are at the forefront of biomedical research. "

Along with thousands of other research biologists, Caplan is attending the ASCB meeting in Philadelphia along with three of his students and a post-doctoral fellow to present their latest data. The Caplan lab will be presenting three posters on regulatory proteins and molecular motors involved in endocytosis, the process by which the cell absorbs outside molecules and ferries them to internal destinations. But Caplan is equally eager to talk about novel writing. "There are very few novels that deal with real-life scientists and their day-to-day concerns, I would be happy to talk with anyone about this book which took me thirteen years to write and publish," says Caplan.

Provided by American Society for Cell Biology