Gut Check: Exploring Your Microbiome from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Microbes and the Human Microbiome

Welcome Citizen Scientists! We're very pleased to have you join us on an exploration of the human microbiome. This is a fascinating area of study, and we hope you will find this six-module course worthwhile. Each module's content will be presented in similar fashion; our team will introduce topics by way of pre-recorded video lectures interspersed with guest interviews by subject matter experts. Module 1 will provide a broad overview about microbes and their diversity on earth and in the human body.

Studying the Microbiome

In this module, we will dive into the fundamentals of how we study the human microbiome. We highlight recent advances in microbiome research methods and take you on a tour of the Knight lab. Please keep in mind, that Modules 2 and 3 are meant to provide a glimpse into our world of data generation and analysis. Modules 4, 5, and 6 will be less technical and provide a broad overview of fascinating research on the human microbiome. Stick with us!

Making Sense Out of Microbial Data

This module highlights the basics of generating and analyzing microbiome data. We will also discuss how computational scientists are revolutionizing the development of tools for analyzing large, complex biological data sets and show you some of the cool ways that we visualize data! This module will help you understand data plots in later modules, but do not get discouraged if the material here is too technical, a full understanding is not required to complete the course!

The Human Gut Microbiome and Your Health

Now that we've given you some background about the methods we use to analyze microbial data, it's time for us to talk more about recent discoveries in microbiome research. This module will focus on the main factors impacting the gut microbiota as well as the influence of the gut microbiota on nutrition and gut health. This is the fun part, so get excited!

Gut Microbe-Host Interactions: Beyond Nutrition

You're more than halfway through the course! We hope you've been learning lots of new, exciting things about the human gut microbiota! In this module, we'll shift the focus from nutrition and gut health to the rest of your body. How do your gut microbes and your immune system interact? What about your nervous system? Does the gut microbiota play a role in allergies and stress?

What's in the American Gut

We will wrap up the course in this module by discussing what's in the American Gut. Rob will walk us through results from the American Gut Project and compare results from Jeff Leach and Michael Pollan. We will also hear from Michael Pollan on the importance of microbiome research and how it has changed the way he thinks about his health and what he eats.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Course explores the exciting field of human microbiome research with an accessible and engaging approach

Taught by renowned experts in microbiome research, including Rob Knight, Dr. Jessica L. Metcalf, and Dr. Katherine R. Amato

Focuses on the gut microbiome's impact on health and interactions with various body systems, providing valuable insights for those interested in nutrition and gut health

Introduces essential concepts and methods in microbiome research, making it suitable for those new to the field

Emphasizes the relevance of the American Gut Project to the course content, offering real-world examples and perspectives

Provides a comprehensive overview of the human microbiome, encompassing its diversity, functions, and implications for health

Reviews summary

Gut microbiome: the microbes inside you

Learners say this well received course explores the human gut microbiome and its role in health. It covers topics like food logs, dietary insights, microbiome research, and healthy eating. The course receives praise for its excellent instructors, informative videos, up-to-date research, and practical assignments. The learning material is clear, well-organized, and engaging, leading to a broader understanding of the microbiome's impact on health.

Complex concepts are explained clearly and concisely, making them easy to understand.

"This course is a great introduction to the microbiome. Interesting for scientists and non-scientists alike!"

"This course is thorough and very interesting."

"very nice course. Much more informative than I thought it was going to be."

Engaging assignments, such as food logs and peer feedback, enhance learning.

"This course is a great opportunity to develop our knowledge of the intestinal microbiome."

"Excellent course, nice videos and insights."

"Very well designed course with research and evidence based material and video lectures combined with proper reports."

Highly experienced and knowledgeable instructors share their insights.

"Excellent course!! One thing I like about this course is, they proved facts/hypothesis by explaining experiments which they carried out."

"This course has been very interesting and with useful information. Many thanks to the speakers and universities involved in its development."

Informative, interesting, and up-to-date material, including interviews with researchers.

"Amazing Course. Gained lots of knowledge. Well Structured and Interesting"

"Very interesting, useful and well prepared course. The best I have attended so far on Coursera! Loved it!"

"The course raised my level knowledge about Gut microbiology at its highest."

Some learners may miss personalized feedback from instructors or mentors.

"The course is good, my only objection was that there was no personal Lecturer or Mentor feedback as in some other courses."

"The course was very informative and a great one to add to a busy schedule as there is plenty of time to complete the assignments."

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 Gut Check: Exploring Your Microbiome with these activities:

Organize and Review Course Materials

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Organizing your materials will help you stay on track and easily access important information throughout the course.

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Create a system for organizing your notes, assignments, and quizzes.
Review your materials regularly to reinforce your learning.

Read The Microbiome Solution

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the human microbiome and its impact on health, giving you a solid grounding in the subject matter.

View The Bloat Cure: 101 Natural Solutions for Real... on Amazon

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Read Chapter 1: The Microbiome Revolution.
Take notes on the key concepts, such as the composition of the microbiome and its role in health.
Summarize the main points of the chapter in your own words.

Review Human Biology

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Reviewing Human Biology will help you understand the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology, providing a strong foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Human Biology

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Go over your notes or textbook from a previous Human Biology course.
Create a mind map or diagram of the major organ systems.
Take a practice quiz or test to assess your knowledge.

Five other activities

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Participate in a Peer Study Group

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Engaging in peer discussions will allow you to share your knowledge, learn from others, and solidify your understanding of the course material.

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Join or form a study group with other students in the course.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material.
Work together to solve problems, answer questions, and prepare for assessments.

Follow a Guided Tutorial on Microbiome Analysis

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Completing guided tutorials will enhance your understanding of the techniques used to analyze microbial data.

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Choose a tutorial that covers the analysis of microbiome data using QIIME or another relevant software tool.
Follow the steps in the tutorial to analyze a sample dataset.
Interpret the results of the analysis and draw conclusions.

Solve Practice Problems on Microbiome Analysis

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Solving practice problems will reinforce your understanding of the methods used to study the microbiome and their applications.

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Find a set of practice problems on microbiome analysis.
Solve the problems and check your answers against the solutions.
Review the concepts and techniques covered in the problems to identify areas for improvement.

Develop a Presentation on the Microbiome and its Impact on Nutrition

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Creating a presentation will help you synthesize your knowledge and develop your communication skills, showcasing your understanding of the topic.

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Gather information on the composition and function of the human gut microbiome.
Research the role of the microbiome in nutrient metabolism and health.
Design and create a visually appealing presentation.
Practice delivering your presentation.

Write a Blog Post on the Microbiome and its Implications for Health

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Writing a blog post will encourage you to synthesize your knowledge and present it in a clear and engaging manner, showcasing your understanding of the topic's applications.

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Choose a specific aspect of the microbiome and its implications for health to focus on.
Research the topic and gather relevant information.
Write a well-structured blog post that presents your findings in a clear and concise way.
Publish your blog post and share it with others.

Career center

Learners who complete Gut Check: Exploring Your Microbiome will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Microbiome Researcher

Microbiome Researchers study the human microbiome, including its composition, function, and role in health and disease. They may work in research and development laboratories, or in clinical settings, to investigate the microbiome's role in conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. This course may be useful for Microbiome Researchers who wish to gain a better understanding of the human microbiome, and to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microbiome Researcher

Microbiologist

Microbiologists study microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They may work in research and development laboratories, or in clinical settings, to study the causes and treatment of diseases. This course may be useful for Microbiologists who wish to gain a better understanding of the human microbiome, and to apply this knowledge to their research in areas such as infectious disease or immunology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microbiologist

Public Health Scientist

Public Health Scientists work to protect and improve the health of communities. They may work in government agencies, universities, or non-profit organizations to research and address public health issues, such as environmental health or infectious disease. This course may be useful for Public Health Scientists who wish to gain a better understanding of the role of the microbiome in health and disease, and to apply this knowledge to their work in areas such as health promotion or disease prevention.

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Bioinformatics Scientist

Bioinformatics Scientists use computational methods to analyze large datasets of biological data. They may work in research and development laboratories, or in clinical settings, to identify genetic variations, develop new drugs, and understand the causes of disease. This course may be useful for Bioinformatics Scientists who wish to gain a better understanding of the human microbiome, and to apply this knowledge to their work in areas such as genomics or proteomics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Bioinformatics Scientist

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians use statistics to analyze and interpret data in the field of medicine. They may work in research and development laboratories, or in clinical settings, to design and conduct clinical trials, and to analyze data from epidemiological studies. This course may be useful for Biostatisticians who wish to gain a better understanding of the human microbiome, and to apply this knowledge to their research in areas such as clinical research or public health.

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Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants work under the supervision of physicians to provide medical care to patients. They may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. This course may be useful for Physician Assistants who wish to gain a better understanding of the role of the microbiome in health and disease, and to apply this knowledge to their work in areas such as primary care or chronic disease management.

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Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study the distribution and patterns of health and disease in populations. They may work in government agencies, universities, or research institutions to investigate the causes of disease and to develop strategies for prevention and control. This course may be useful for Epidemiologists who wish to gain a better understanding of the role of the microbiome in health and disease, and to apply this knowledge to their research in areas such as chronic disease or public health.

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Health Educator

Health Educators work to promote health and prevent disease in communities. They may work in government agencies, schools, or non-profit organizations to develop and implement health education programs. This course may be useful for Health Educators who wish to gain a better understanding of the role of the microbiome in health and disease, and to apply this knowledge to their work in areas such as nutrition or disease prevention.

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Science Writer

Science Writers communicate complex scientific and medical information to a general audience. They may work for newspapers, magazines, or websites to write articles about the latest scientific discoveries and advances. This course may be useful for Science Writers who wish to gain a better understanding of the human microbiome, and to communicate this knowledge to the public in a clear and engaging way.

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Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers apply engineering principles to the field of medicine. They may work in research and development laboratories, or in clinical settings, to design and develop medical devices and technologies. This course may be useful for Biomedical Engineers who wish to gain a better understanding of the human microbiome, and to apply this knowledge to their research in areas such as tissue engineering or drug delivery.

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Science Communicator

Science Communicators work to bridge the gap between science and the public. They may work for museums, universities, or non-profit organizations to develop and deliver educational programs about science and technology. This course may be useful for Science Communicators who wish to gain a better understanding of the human microbiome, and to communicate this knowledge to the public in a way that is both accurate and accessible.

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Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses provide direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. They may work under the supervision of physicians or independently to assess patients, provide treatments, and educate patients and their families about health and disease. This course may be useful for Registered Nurses who wish to gain a better understanding of the role of the microbiome in health and disease, and to apply this knowledge to their work in areas such as wound care or infection control.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create instruction manuals, technical reports, and other documents that explain technical information to a specific audience. They may work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, software development, and healthcare. This course may be useful for Technical Writers who wish to gain a better understanding of the human microbiome, and to communicate this knowledge to a technical audience in a clear and concise way.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. They may work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, and marketing. This course may be useful for Data Analysts who wish to gain a better understanding of the human microbiome, and to apply this knowledge to their work in areas such as population health or personalized medicine.

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Biological Technician

Biological Technicians work in research and development laboratories to perform a variety of duties in support of scientific research. They may prepare and maintain laboratory equipment, conduct experiments, and analyze data. This course may be useful for Biological Technicians who wish to gain a better understanding of the human microbiome, and to apply this knowledge to their research in biomedical fields.

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