Author Archives: caydunbar

Phenotyping and the Bucketmouth Beard

Posted on February 27, 2014 by caydunbar

When the Personal Genome Project(PGP) launched and the first ten volunteers were inducted, it was clear that they were intent on more than just genomics. Most of us were photographed with a little 10cm ruler taped to the middle of our … Continue reading →

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Winter of our Disrespect

Posted on February 14, 2014 by caydunbar

On a cold February morning recently I checked the Great Lakes Environmental Research site and found that only one of the Great Lakes had any waves on it. Superior, Erie, Huron, and Ontario were frozen solid. A small peanut of Lake Michigan … Continue reading →

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Patients in Waiting

Posted on November 22, 2013 by caydunbar

When people learn that I have been sequenced as part of George Church’s Personal Genome Project (PGP) they often say, “Wow- I’d like to be sequenced too!” My first response to them is, “Why – are you sick?” If the … Continue reading →

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Type I Diabetes – A Day in My Daughter’s Life

Posted on November 15, 2013 by caydunbar

A parent easily falls into the trap of describing the most horrific of their adolescent children’s behaviors. There are always those loud and angry interactions of one brain soaked with testosterone interacting with another one soaking in 400 mg/dl glucose. … Continue reading →

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Lose Weight…and your poop will glow in the dark too!

Posted on November 8, 2013 by caydunbar

Sean Davies had a problem to solve: If you genetically modify enteric bacteria to make them more healthful, how can you quickly check to see if they’re happily growing away inside your experimental rat? The solution he chose could represent the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cayman Chemical, R&D, Science, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

I’m only two pages into the latest children’s book on learning one’s colors, and my 3-year old hits a snag. “Corn is NOT yellow!” he shouts indignantly. For several weeks now, he’s been going with me to the garden and … Continue reading →

Posted on October 17, 2013 by caydunbar | 12 Comments

Empty Promises

Posted on October 15, 2013 by caydunbar

An Animal Products Export Certificate (APEC) is a bland, illegible form bearing an impressive signature in blue ink. Required on all international shipments of research proteins and antibodies, an APEC informs the overseas importer that “These products have been obtained … Continue reading →

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Testicle Size in Parenting and Sexual Selection

Posted on October 15, 2013 by caydunbar

Thanks goes to Laura Deming for pointing out another recent paper whose title, “Testicular volume is inversely correlated with nurturing-related brain activity in human fathers,” proved irresistible to PNAS, enabling them to overlook stunning intellectual flaws.  Problems include: Selection bias. Participants … Continue reading →

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Fighting Climate Change by Killing Eagles

Posted on October 11, 2013 by caydunbar

Why isn’t the wind industry subject to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act? By: Robert Bryce For some environmentalists, the threat of climate change is so great that we must allow wind turbines to kill bald and golden eagles. … Continue reading →

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Sam is My Hero

Posted on October 9, 2013 by caydunbar

Sam is a streamliner. Everyone knows who they are, although no one calls them that when the teachers are around. He’s one of the kids who wouldn’t be in the main high school if it weren’t for a special program. … Continue reading →

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