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Genomics: Decoding the Universal Language of Life

Approx. 36 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course provides an introduction to genomics research and covers topics such as genome sequencing, functional genomics, and genome-wide association studies.

Key Learning Points

Learn about the latest genomics research techniques and technologies
Understand the importance of genomics in the field of medicine
Gain practical skills in analyzing and interpreting genomic data

Learning Outcomes

Gain a deep understanding of genomics research techniques and concepts
Develop practical skills in analyzing and interpreting genomic data
Understand the potential applications of genomics in medicine and healthcare

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of biology and genetics
Familiarity with statistical analysis

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced
Video lectures
Assignments
Quizzes

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Description

What is a genome? A genome contains all of the information that a cell needs to develop, function, and reproduce itself, and all the information needed for those cells to come together to form a person, plant, or animal. Genomes contain an organism’s complete set of genes, and also the even tinier genetic structures that help regulate when and how those genes are used.

The ability to regrow a torn ligament, the clues that might predict the onset of mental illness, the nutritional potential of crops, and even the history of life itself, are all encoded in genomes. By taking this course, you will discover how scientists are deciphering the language of genomes to learn how to develop sustainable food and fuel supplies, improve disease treatment and prevention, and protect our environment. Professor Robinson is the main instructor for this course. In addition, each module features several guest instructors. These guest instructors come from diverse fields of study—biology, physics, computer science, and many others—and pursue diverse research goals, yet they share a common interest in genomic approaches and technologies. The guest instructors include: - Elizabeth (Lisa) Ainsworth, Associate Professor of Plant Biology - Mark Band, Director of the Functional Genomics Facility - Alison Bell, Associate Professor of Animal Biology - Jenny Drnevich, Functional Genomics Bioinformatics Specialist with High-Performance Biological Computing - Christopher Fields, Associate Director of High-Performance Biological Computing - Bruce Fouke, Director of the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center - Glenn Fried, Director of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology Core Facilities - Nigel Goldenfeld, Professor of Physics - Brendan Harley, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering - Alvaro Hernandez, Director of the High-Throughput Sequencing and Genotyping Facility - Victor Jongeneel, former NCSA Director of Bioinformatics and former Director of High-Performance Biological Computing - Kingsley Boateng, Senior Research Specialist with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology Core Facilities - Stephen Long, Professor of Plant Biology and Crop Sciences - Ruby Mendenhall, Associate Professor of African American Studies - William Metcalf, Professor of Microbiology - Karen Sears, Assistant Professor of Animal Biology - Saurabh Sinha, Associate Professor of Computer Science - Lisa Stubbs, Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology - Rachel Whitaker, Associate Professor of Microbiology - Derek Wildman, Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology - Peter Yau, Director of the Protein Sciences Facility

Outline

Course Orientation
Welcome to Genomics: Decoding the Universal Language of Life! (Course Overview)
What Is Genomics?
Syllabus
About the Discussion Forums
Updating Your Profile
Social Media
Orientation Quiz
Demographics Survey

What Is a Genome and Why Do We Care?
Module 1 Overview
The Book of Life
Two Flavors of Research: Exploration and Application
What Is Genomics Good For?
Reverse-Engineering the Machinery of Life
Basic Components of Life
What Is Life?
Why Does Life Exist?
How Do We Recognize Life?
Analyzing Living Cells
Module 1 Conclusion
All Roads Lead through Genomics
Life: Here and There, Now and Then
Week 1 Quiz

What Were the First Genomes Like and How Do They Work Now?
Module 2 Overview
Understanding Complex Systems
What Is DNA?
What Is a Genome?
The Grammar of Genomes
How Do We Read Genomes?
Genomics and Computing: P2P
High-Performance Biological Computing
Equalizing Access to Genomics of Health
Challenges in Supercomputing (Optional)
Module 2 Conclusion
Genome Nuts and Bolts
Genome Sequencing
Week 2 Quiz

How Can We Use Genomes to Understand the Healthy Body and Fight Diseases?
Module 3 Overview
Biology's Big Two
The Gene to Protein Pipeline
What Do Proteins Do, and How?
How Do Proteins Evolve?
Horizontal Gene Transfer: Caring About DNA Sharing
Why Do We Study Microbes?
Antibiotics and the Microbial Arms Race
The Revolution of Protein Science
The Protein Science Facility at the CBC
Complexity from Simplicity
Pathways to Understanding the Mind
Mapping the Genomic Landscape
Module 3 Conclusion
The Central Dogma
Microbes and Drug Resistance
Gene Interactions
Week 3 Quiz

What Can Genomes Tell Us About How to Grow New Organs or New Crops?
Module 4 Overview
Changing the Nature of Medicine
The Identity Crisis of Newborn Cells
Biomaterials & Human Health
Why Study Development in Mammals?
Studying Limb Development: Four Thumbs Up?
The Who, Where, and When of Genes in Development
Adaptation & Evolution
What Is a Genetically Modified Organism?
Ozone and Plant Health
Preparing Crops for Climate Change
Fear of GMOs
Module 4 Conclusion
Guiding Tissue Growth
Endless Forms
Adapting to Change
Concerns About GMOs
Week 4 Quiz

How Might Genomes Allow Us to Predict Health Problems Before They Occur?
Module 5 Overview
The Dynamic Genome
Experience across Generations
Health: This Time, It's Personal
The Proper Study of Humankind
Predicting Problems in Pregnancy
Reading the Blueprint of Life
The Hierarchy of Genes
Gene Regulation & Social Behavior
Mapping the Punctuation of the Genome
DNA Services Facility
Variety: The Spice of Life
Behavioral Syndromes
Lamarck in the 21st Century
Genes, Brains, and Social Behavior
Module 5 Conclusion
Marks of Experience
Parsing Gene Regulation
Animal Personalities
Week 5 Quiz

How Do the Genomes of Ecosystem Members Cooperate or Conflict?
Module 6 Overview
Microbial Diversity: Worlds within Worlds
Microbial Love and War
Ecosystems of the Human Body
What Are We Eating Tomorrow?
The Second Green Revolution
Supporting Genomic Research
Challenges to Community Health
Dreams of a Better World
Module 6 Conclusion
Microscopic Worlds
Rethinking Photosynthesis
Science and Society
Week 6 Quiz
End of Course Survey

Summary of User Reviews

Learn about genomics research with this Coursera course. Users have praised the course for its comprehensive content and engaging lectures. Many have found the course to be a valuable learning experience.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Comprehensive content

Pros from User Reviews

Engaging lectures
Valuable learning experience
In-depth coverage of genomics research

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course too challenging
The course may be too technical for beginners
Limited interaction with instructors
Some technical issues reported during the course

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Genomics: Decoding the Universal Language of Life

What is a genome? Genomes contain an organism’s complete set of genes, and also the even tinier genetic structures that help regulate when and how those genes are used....

Save Course