Microbial genomicist Jonathan Eisen had racked up an impressive publication record and thousands of citations long before he ever launched his über-popular evolutionary science blog, The Tree of Life, in February 2005. He had worked with Craig Venter at the Institute for Genomic Research, where he collaborated on early genome sequencing projects such as Arabidopsis thaliana and the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
Based on those scientific accomplishments alone, Eisen was doing quite well for himself. But in early 2005, he started a blog after hearing about the virtual world, Second Life. Eisen says that his eyes were opened to the nearly endless possibilities to be explored by taking scientific discussions to cyberspace. He started blogging that week, initiating his own collaborative discussion about science.
Fast forward to today—Eisen is the toast of the science blogosphere and the recipient ...
