Precision Medicine from Coursera

This course will provide you with the key knowledge and tools to understand the fundamentals and practical implications of precision medicine, its opportunities and challenges. It will address precision-medicine era diagnostics, treatment selection, genetic counseling, public health interventions, and biomedical research. It will also deal with data science and ethical issues.

From genomic analysis and genetic counseling to cancer biomarkers, from risk assessment of chronic diseases to the understanding of gene-environment interactions, from pharmacogenomics to multi-omics data integration, experts will walk you through the many aspects of precision medicine, from the bench to the bedside and to population health.

Designed for students with a bachelor-level training in life sciences, this course will also be useful for professionals who are increasingly expected to deal with precision medicine, including primary care physicians and other first-line healthcare professionals, cancer and non-communicable diseases specialists, public health policy and decision makers, as well as biomedical researchers and drug developers.

Experts from the multiple domains of genetics and genomics, oncology, pharmacology, data sciences, ethics, and biomedical research will provide you with a comprehensive, multi-faceted overview of precision medicine, richly illustrated with practical examples and clinical case studies, and peppered with formative evaluations.

Whether you are interested or intrigued by topics such as “genethics”, the analysis of exome sequencing, precision diabetes management, hereditary cancers, the ongoing revolution of genetic technologies, genome-exposome interactions, the pharmacogenetics of opioids, data deidentification, blockchain-base patient-consent documentation, or proteomics and biomarkers, this course will explain the concepts, offer insights and present concrete examples, thus providing you with an overall understanding of the rapidly evolving field of precision medicine.

- update -

The contents of this course have been updated and important corrections have been implemented thanks to learners' feedback. Many thanks to them!

What's inside

Syllabus

Monogenic Diseases

Complex Diseases

Cancer

Health and Prevention

Pharmacogenomics and Drug Development

Research

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a comprehensive introduction to precision medicine, its applications in healthcare, and its ethical implications

Taught by experts in genetics, oncology, pharmacology, data sciences, ethics, and biomedical research

Designed for students with a bachelor-level training in life sciences, professionals in healthcare, and researchers

Covers various aspects of precision medicine, from genomic analysis to data science and ethics

Incorporates practical examples and clinical case studies to illustrate the concepts

Course materials have been updated and improved based on learner feedback

Reviews summary

Well-received precision medicine course

Learners say the Precision Medicine course is well received, largely due to its high-quality content and engaging style. Students praise the instructors' expertise, the practical nature of the material, and the up-to-date information provided. Many note that the course has broadened their understanding of precision medicine and its potential to transform healthcare. The quizzes and exams are sometimes challenging, but many learners see this as a positive, as it reinforces the material. Overall, learners say this course is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to expand their knowledge of precision medicine.

Exams are challenging but fair

"The tests were very challenging😅"

"I don't think it was ideal for learning purposes."

Course focuses on the practical implications of precision medicine

"not classes enfocadas en hablar y hablar de conceptos teóricos, sino más bien desde una perspectiva más práctica en la aplicación clínica"

"It gave me an insight into practical implementation of precision medicine from different perspectives."

Instructors are knowledgeable and experienced

"The instructors'expertise and the interactive nature of the course made complex topics in precision medicine accessible and engaging."

"you deserve a 5 star. The course is so amazing and well explored by well composed instructors who used different methods to make the concept easy to grasp."

"The precision medicine course is a fantastic curriculum that gives a thorough overview of the most recent advances in precision medicine."

Lectures and case studies are well-structured and informative

"Learned so much!"

"informative course"

"Very well curated and informative"

"An eye opening future field of medicine!"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Precision Medicine with these activities:

Read 'The Code Breaker' by Walter Isaacson

Show steps

Gain insights into the history and advancements of genetic research, particularly in the field of precision medicine.

View The Code Breaker -- Young Readers Edition on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book and take notes on key concepts and discoveries.
Summarize the main arguments and evidence presented in the book.
Reflect on the implications of genetic research for personalized medicine and society.

Review Mendelian Inheritance

Show steps

Review the basics of Mendelian inheritance to strengthen your understanding of genetic principles.

Browse courses on Genetics

Show steps

Study the principles of dominant and recessive alleles.
Practice solving genetics problems involving monohybrid crosses.
Review the concepts of Punnett squares and genotype and phenotype ratios.

Compile a Glossary of Precision Medicine Terms

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of precision medicine terminology by compiling a comprehensive glossary.

Browse courses on Terminology

Show steps

Gather definitions of key terms from textbooks, articles, and online resources.
Organize the definitions alphabetically or by topic.
Review and update the glossary as you progress through the course.

Six other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all nine activities

Explore Precision Medicine Resources

Show steps

Familiarize yourself with online resources and tools for precision medicine research and applications.

Browse courses on Data Science

Show steps

Identify and access databases of genomic and clinical data.
Explore tools for data analysis and visualization.
Learn about ethical considerations in precision medicine research.

Discuss Ethical Implications of Precision Medicine

Show steps

Engage in discussions with peers to explore the ethical challenges and considerations surrounding precision medicine.

Browse courses on Ethical Implications

Show steps

Read and discuss academic papers on the ethical implications of precision medicine.
Analyze case studies involving ethical dilemmas in genetic testing and treatment.
Develop and present your own perspectives on the ethical issues.

Analyze Variant Call Format (VCF) files

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience in analyzing VCF files, a crucial skill for interpreting genomic data.

Browse courses on Bioinformatics

Show steps

Load and explore VCF files using bioinformatics software.
Identify and interpret different types of genetic variants.
Filter and annotate variants based on specific criteria.

Attend a Precision Medicine Conference

Show steps

Connect with experts and stay updated on the latest advancements in precision medicine.

Browse courses on Networking

Show steps

Research and select a conference relevant to your interests.
Attend presentations and workshops to expand your knowledge.
Network with researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals.

Develop a Personalized Health Plan

Show steps

Apply precision medicine principles to create a tailored health plan based on your unique genetic profile.

Browse courses on Health Management

Show steps

Gather and analyze your genetic and health data.
Identify lifestyle and environmental factors that influence your health.
Develop a personalized plan for diet, exercise, and preventive screenings.

Contribute to a Precision Medicine Open-Source Project

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience and contribute to the advancement of precision medicine by contributing to an open-source project.

Browse courses on Bioinformatics

Show steps

Identify a relevant open-source project on platforms like GitHub or GitLab.
Review the project codebase and documentation.
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes, feature enhancements, or documentation improvements.

Career center

Learners who complete Precision Medicine will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Medical Geneticist

Medical Geneticists study the role of genes in health and disease. They provide genetic counseling to patients and families affected by genetic disorders, and work to develop new diagnostic and treatment strategies. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of precision medicine, including topics such as monogenic and complex diseases, cancer, and pharmacogenomics. This knowledge would be invaluable to a Medical Geneticist, as it would allow them to better understand the genetic basis of disease and develop more personalized treatments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Geneticist

Genetic Counselor

Genetic Counselors provide information and support to individuals and families at risk for or affected by genetic disorders. They help patients and families understand their genetic risks, and make informed decisions about their health care. This course would be very helpful for a Genetic Counselor, as it would provide them with a comprehensive overview of precision medicine, including topics such as monogenic and complex diseases, cancer, and pharmacogenomics. This knowledge would allow them to better understand the genetic basis of disease, and provide more effective counseling to their patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Genetic Counselor

Bioinformatician

Bioinformaticians develop and apply computational tools and techniques to analyze biological data. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, industry, and government. This course would be very helpful for a Bioinformatician, as it would provide them with a strong foundation in the principles of precision medicine, including topics such as data science and ethical issues. This knowledge would allow them to develop more effective computational tools for analyzing biological data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Bioinformatician

Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and provide information about their use to patients. They also work with physicians to develop and manage medication regimens. This course may be helpful for a Pharmacist, as it would provide them with a basic understanding of the principles of precision medicine, including topics such as pharmacogenomics and drug development. This knowledge would allow them to better understand the genetic basis of drug response, and provide more personalized medication recommendations to their patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacist

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioners provide a variety of medical services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and performing minor surgeries. They work under the supervision of a physician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nurse Practitioner

Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants provide a variety of medical services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and performing minor surgeries. They work under the supervision of a physician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician Assistant

Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research to advance scientific knowledge. They work in a variety of settings, including academia, industry, and government.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Lab Technician

Lab Technicians conduct laboratory tests and experiments. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and research laboratories.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lab Technician

Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators plan, organize, and direct the delivery of healthcare services. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator

Health Educator

Health Educators promote health and well-being. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, community centers, and workplaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Science Writer

Science Writers communicate scientific information to the public. They work for a variety of media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, and websites.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Patent Attorney

Patent Attorneys help clients obtain and protect patents. They work in a variety of settings, including law firms, corporations, and government agencies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Patent Attorney

Investment Analyst

Investment Analysts research and analyze investments. They work for a variety of financial institutions, including banks, investment firms, and hedge funds.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Analyst

Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance. They work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, technology, and finance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Teacher

Teachers plan, organize, and deliver instruction to students. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, and universities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher