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Niema Moshiri, Mikhail Rayko, Vikram Sirupurapu, Sabeel Mansuri, and Pavel Pevzner

In this course, you will follow in the footsteps of the bioinformaticians investigating the COVID-19 outbreak by investigating the origins of SARS-CoV-2. Whether you’re new to the world of computational biology, or you’re a bioinformatics expert seeking to learn about its applications in the COVID-19 pandemic, or somewhere in between, this course is for you! As you go through this journey, we will introduce and explain genomic concepts and give you many opportunities to practice your skills, and we will provide a series of problems with gradually increasing complexity. This third course will only discuss the multiple sequence alignment and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference of SARS-CoV-2 genomes, but future courses in this series will explore follow-up bioinformatics analyses used in the COVID-19 pandemic.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1
In Chapter 5, we will use sequence alignment to explore the "Artificial Origin Hypothesis" about the origin of SARS-CoV-2.
Week 2
In Chapter 6, we will use phylogenetics to explore the "Direct Zoonotic Transfer" and "Intermediate Host" hypotheses about the origin of SARS-CoV-2.
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Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Investigates the origins of SARS-CoV-2
Explores genomic concepts
Suitable for beginners in computational biology
Provides opportunities for skill practice
Taught by bioinformatics experts at UC San Diego
Part of a series of courses on COVID-19 bioinformatics

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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 Hacking COVID-19 — Course 3: Unraveling COVID-19's Origins with these activities:
Review Basic Biology
A basic understanding of biology will help you understand the origin of SARS-CoV-2.
Browse courses on Biology
Show steps
  • Review your notes from high school or college biology classes.
  • Read a basic biology textbook.
Read 'Virus Taxonomy: Classification and Nomenclature of Viruses'
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the taxonomy of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on the taxonomy of coronaviruses.
  • Read the chapter on the nomenclature of SARS-CoV-2.
Follow Tutorials on Bioinformatics Tools
There are many online tutorials that can help you learn how to use bioinformatics tools.
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on multiple sequence alignment.
  • Find tutorials on phylogenetic inference.
  • Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Practice Sequence Alignment
Practice aligning SARS-CoV-2 sequences to improve your understanding of sequence alignment techniques.
Browse courses on Sequence Alignment
Show steps
  • Gather SARS-CoV-2 sequences from a public database.
  • Choose a sequence alignment tool and align the sequences.
  • Analyze the alignment results and identify conserved regions.
Practice Multiple Sequence Alignment
Multiple sequence alignment is a fundamental skill in bioinformatics, and practicing it will help you understand the origin of SARS-CoV-2.
Show steps
  • Read the chapter on multiple sequence alignment in the course textbook.
  • Complete the practice exercises provided in the textbook.
  • Find additional practice exercises online or in other textbooks.
Practice Phylogenetic Inference
Phylogenetic inference is a powerful tool for understanding the evolutionary history of SARS-CoV-2.
Show steps
  • Read the chapter on phylogenetic inference in the course textbook.
  • Complete the practice exercises provided in the textbook.
  • Find additional practice exercises online or in other textbooks.
Introduction to Maximum-Likelihood Phylogenetic Inference
Enhance your understanding of phylogenetic inference methods used to study the evolution of SARS-CoV-2.
Show steps
  • Find online tutorials on maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference.
  • Follow the tutorials to build a phylogenetic tree using SARS-CoV-2 sequences.
  • Interpret the tree and discuss the evolutionary relationships among SARS-CoV-2 strains.
Create a Phylogenetic Tree
Creating a phylogenetic tree is a great way to visualize the evolutionary history of SARS-CoV-2.
Browse courses on Phylogenetics
Show steps
  • Choose a dataset of SARS-CoV-2 genomes.
  • Align the genomes using a multiple sequence aligner.
  • Build a phylogenetic tree using a phylogenetic inference program.
  • Visualize the phylogenetic tree.
Create a Visual Summary of SARS-CoV-2 Evolution
Reinforce your understanding of SARS-CoV-2 evolution by creating a visual summary of the phylogenetic analysis.
Browse courses on Phylogenetic Analysis
Show steps
  • Gather data on SARS-CoV-2 evolution from scientific literature.
  • Choose a data visualization tool and create a visual representation of the data.
  • Share your visualization with others and discuss the implications of the findings.

Career center

Learners who complete Hacking COVID-19 — Course 3: Unraveling COVID-19's Origins will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Bioinformatician
A Bioinformatician uses computational tools to analyze biological data. This course may help build a foundation for this career by providing learners with experience in essential bioinformatics skills, such as genomic concepts, multiple sequence alignment, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference.
Computational Biologist
A Computational Biologist researches biological systems using computational methods, such as data analysis and mathematical modeling. This course may help build a foundation for this career by giving learners experience with genomic concepts, multiple sequence alignment, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference, all of which are essential skills for a Computational Biologist.
Microbiologist
A Microbiologist studies microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses. This course may be useful for a Microbiologist by providing experience with genomic concepts and phylogenetic inference, which are techniques used to study the evolution and diversity of microorganisms.
Epidemiologist
An Epidemiologist investigates the causes and spread of diseases. This course may be useful for an Epidemiologist by providing experience with phylogenetic inference, which is a technique used to study the evolution and spread of diseases.
Virologist
A Virologist studies viruses. This course may be useful for a Virologist by providing experience with genomic concepts and phylogenetic inference, which are techniques used to study the evolution and diversity of viruses.
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist uses data to solve problems. This course may be useful for a Data Scientist by providing experience with data analysis techniques, such as genomic concepts, multiple sequence alignment, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference, which can be used to analyze large datasets.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software systems. This course may be useful for a Software Engineer by providing experience with data analysis techniques, such as genomic concepts, multiple sequence alignment, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference, which can be used to develop software for the healthcare industry.
Physician-Scientist
A Physician-Scientist is a medical doctor who also conducts research. This course may be useful for a Physician-Scientist by providing experience with bioinformatics techniques, such as genomic concepts, multiple sequence alignment, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference, which can be used to study the genetic basis of diseases.
Science Writer
A Science Writer communicates complex scientific information to a general audience. This course may be useful for a Science Writer by providing experience with genomic concepts, multiple sequence alignment, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference, which can be used to explain complex scientific concepts to a general audience.
Teacher
A Teacher educates students at all levels. This course may be useful for a Teacher by providing experience with genomic concepts, multiple sequence alignment, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference, which can be used to teach students about biology and the scientific process.
Science Communicator
A Science Communicator translates complex scientific information into language that the public can understand. This course may be useful for a Science Communicator by providing experience with genomic concepts, multiple sequence alignment, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference, which can be used to explain complex scientific concepts to the public.
Healthcare Consultant
A Healthcare Consultant helps healthcare organizations improve their performance. This course may be useful for a Healthcare Consultant by providing experience with data analysis techniques, such as genomic concepts, multiple sequence alignment, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference, which can be used to analyze healthcare data and identify areas for improvement.
Medical Writer
A Medical Writer creates written content for the healthcare industry. This course may be useful for a Medical Writer by providing experience with genomic concepts, multiple sequence alignment, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference, which can be used to write about complex scientific topics for a variety of audiences.
Policy Analyst
A Policy Analyst develops and analyzes policies. This course may be useful for a Policy Analyst by providing experience with data analysis techniques, such as genomic concepts, multiple sequence alignment, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference, which can be used to analyze the impact of policies on public health.
Patent Attorney
A Patent Attorney helps clients obtain and protect patents. This course may be useful for a Patent Attorney by providing experience with genomic concepts, multiple sequence alignment, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference, which can be used to understand the technical aspects of patents in the healthcare industry.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Hacking COVID-19 — Course 3: Unraveling COVID-19's Origins.
This practical guide provides a comprehensive overview of bioinformatics tools and techniques. It covers topics such as sequence analysis, gene expression analysis, and protein structure prediction.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of sequence analysis methods. It covers topics such as sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis, and gene expression analysis.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of phylogenetic analysis methods. It covers topics such as tree reconstruction, model selection, and hypothesis testing.
This popular science book provides a comprehensive overview of human evolution. It covers topics such as human origins, the development of language, and the evolution of culture.
This popular science book provides a strong argument for the theory of evolution. It covers topics such as the fossil record, the genetic code, and the evolution of the human brain.
This popular science book provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of the human body. It covers topics such as the origin of life, the development of vertebrates, and the evolution of the human brain.
This popular science book provides a sweeping overview of human history. It covers topics such as the development of agriculture, the rise of civilization, and the future of humanity.
This popular science book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of mass extinctions. It covers topics such as the extinction of the dinosaurs, the rise of mammals, and the current extinction crisis.
This popular science book provides a comprehensive overview of island biogeography. It covers topics such as the evolution of island species, the impact of humans on islands, and the future of island ecosystems.
This popular science book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of mass extinctions. It covers topics such as the extinction of the dinosaurs, the rise of mammals, and the current extinction crisis.
This popular science book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of genetics. It covers topics such as the discovery of DNA, the development of genetic engineering, and the future of genetics.

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