Michael Eisen on Spectrum

Spectrum will feature a two part special with Michael Eisen, an associate professor in UC Berkeley's Department of Molecular Biology on Friday, February 8th and 22nd @ noon.

In part one, Eisen employs a combination of experimental and computational methods to the study of gene regulation, using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model system.  Eisen and his colleagues have pioneered genomic approaches in modern molecular biology and are leaders in the emerging field of computational biology.  In part one Michael talks about his research, the field and his bifurcated approach of experimental and computational biology.

In part two, Eisen discusses the Public Library of Science, which he co-founded.  He explains his position on Genetically Modified Organisms and suggests a labeling strategy.  He also weighs in on Science outreach and what he terms “Big Science”, a shrinking funding pool that favors committees of scientists  pursuing consensus goals over individual scientists with autonomy and their wits.