Experimental Methods in Systems Biology from Coursera

Learn about the technologies underlying experimentation used in systems biology, with particular focus on RNA sequencing, mass spec-based proteomics, flow/mass cytometry and live-cell imaging.

A key driver of the systems biology field is the technology allowing us to delve deeper and wider into how cells respond to experimental perturbations. This in turns allows us to build more detailed quantitative models of cellular function, which can give important insight into applications ranging from biotechnology to human disease. This course gives a broad overview of a variety of current experimental techniques used in modern systems biology, with focus on obtaining the quantitative data needed for computational modeling purposes in downstream analyses. We dive deeply into four technologies in particular, mRNA sequencing, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, flow/mass cytometry, and live-cell imaging. These techniques are often used in systems biology and range from genome-wide coverage to single molecule coverage, millions of cells to single cells, and single time points to frequently sampled time courses. We present not only the theoretical background upon which these technologies work, but also enter real wet lab environments to provide instruction on how these techniques are performed in practice, and how resultant data are analyzed for quality and content.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Description goes here

Deep mRNA Sequencing

Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics

Midterm Exam

Flow and Mass Cytometry for Single Cell Protein Levels and Cell Fate

Live-cell Imaging for Single Cell Protein Dynamics

Integrating and Interpreting Datasets with Network Models and Dynamical Models

Final Exam

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Helps learners build quantitative models of cellular function to support biotechnology and human disease research

Introduces four technologies for biological data collection: RNA sequencing, proteomics, flow cytometry, and live-cell imaging

Taught by an experienced professor (Marc Birtwistle, PhD) in systems biology

Designed for learners with an interest in understanding the technologies used in systems biology

Covers advanced technologies not typically found in introductory biology courses

Requires prerequisite knowledge in biology and an interest in computational modeling

Reviews summary

Systems biology lab methods

Learners say this course provides a comprehensive overview of experimental methods in systems biology. While some lectures are well received and easy to understand, others may be long and tedious. The lab videos, on the other hand, are frequently praised and seen as a valuable part of the course. Some learners caution that quizzes and exams can be challenging, and there have been occasional reports of typos and confusing or vague questions. Overall, learners who have taken this course report a positive experience and find it informative and helpful for gaining a better understanding of experimental methods in systems biology.

Well produced and informative lab videos.

"The lab videos are great, thanks for teaching us."

"I have real experience for most of these techniques so I should be qualified to say that the course is extremely helpful to those who will touch on these stuffs."

"The concepts and the principles of techniques are covered comprehensively but could have been more concise; the lectures are generally too long."

Instructor is not actively engaged in discussion forums.

"The instructor has never posted once in the discussion forums since the course began and there are issues reported with the quizzes which appear to not have been rectified - so the quality control is poor and I found for me personally, much of the material was irrelevant to my aims and objectives in taking the course."

Some lectures can be lengthy and hard to follow.

"Once again, I have mixed feelings about this course. On the bright side, it was very comprehensive and cover a wide collection of experimental methods, which to me, as a non biologist getting into systems biology, has always been one of the most confusing aspects of the field."

"I also appreciate a lot the idea of lab recordings, so you have a better idea of how everything looks in real life; it makes it feel more real."

"On the other side, lectures are in general very long and tedious."

Exams and quizzes can be difficult.

"The assessments need some reconfiguring or at least better support for discussion forums/advice on how to approach them."

"I often found myself just trying to figure out what the question was truly asking."

"Some answers are clearly incorrect if you lookup the literature; the tester should consider some techniques would be improved overtime and therefore some limitation will be lifted, but this course will stay on coursera forever)."

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 Experimental Methods in Systems Biology with these activities:

Review materials from an undergraduate molecular biology or cell biology course

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Review the basics of cell biology and molecular biology to strengthen your foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Cell Biology

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Review lecture notes or textbooks from your previous courses.
Take practice quizzes or review old homework assignments.
Attend a review session or workshop if available.

Practice solving RNA sequencing data analysis problems

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Improve your understanding of RNA sequencing data analysis techniques by working through practice problems.

Browse courses on RNA Sequencing

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Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
Work through the problems step-by-step, using the course materials as a reference.
Check your answers against the provided solutions or consult with the instructor or a tutor.

Attend study group sessions to discuss experiment design and results

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Enhance your understanding of experiment design and data interpretation by discussing these topics with peers.

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Join or create a study group with other students in the course.
Review the assigned readings and prepare questions or discussion points.
Meet with the study group regularly to discuss the material, share insights, and work through problems.

Four other activities

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Follow online tutorials on mass spectrometry-based proteomics

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Gain a deeper understanding of mass spectrometry-based proteomics techniques through guided tutorials.

Browse courses on Mass Spectrometry

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Find reputable online tutorials or video lectures on mass spectrometry-based proteomics.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, taking notes and asking questions as needed.
Apply the concepts learned in the tutorials to the course materials.

Design a visual representation of a biological pathway related to the course topics

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Improve your comprehension of biological pathways and practice your data visualization skills.

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Choose a biological pathway related to the course topics.
Gather information about the pathway from the course materials, scientific literature, or online resources.
Design a creative and informative visual representation of the pathway, such as a diagram, infographic, or animation.
Share your visual representation with the class or post it online.

Attend a workshop on live-cell imaging techniques

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Gain practical experience in live-cell imaging techniques to enhance your understanding of cell dynamics.

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Identify and register for a workshop on live-cell imaging techniques.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the hands-on demonstrations.
Apply the techniques learned in the workshop to your own research projects or assignments.

Develop a computational model of a cellular process based on the course material

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Apply your knowledge of systems biology and computational modeling to create a deeper understanding of a specific cellular process.

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Choose a specific cellular process to model.
Gather relevant data from the course materials, scientific literature, or online resources.
Develop a computational model using appropriate software or programming languages.
Validate and refine your model based on experimental data or feedback from experts.
Present your model and findings to the class or submit it for assessment.

Career center

Learners who complete Experimental Methods in Systems Biology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Life Scientist

Life Scientists apply their biological and biomedical knowledge to a variety of tasks such as researching and developing drugs and therapies, studying the environment and its impact on health, and working with law enforcement to analyze DNA evidence. The course, Experimental Methods in Systems Biology, is a great fit for those in or looking to enter the field of Life Science because it covers a variety of current experimental techniques used in modern systems biology. This course will help prepare you for a career in research and development, where you will need to be able to understand and use these techniques to conduct your own research.

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Biostatistician

The techniques that you will learn in Experimental Methods in Systems Biology will also come in handy if you are interested in a career as a Biostatistician. Biostatisticians use statistical methods to solve problems in biology and medicine. This course will help prepare you for the types of data that you will encounter in your work as a Biostatistician.

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Bioinformatics Scientist

Bioinformatics Scientists use computational tools to analyze and interpret biological data. The course, Experimental Methods in Systems Biology, will help prepare you for a career as a Bioinformatics Scientist by providing you with a strong foundation in the technologies underlying experimentation used in systems biology. This knowledge will be essential for your work as a Bioinformatics Scientist, where you will need to be able to use these technologies to analyze large datasets and identify patterns.

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Computational Biologist

Experimental Methods in Systems Biology will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in a career as a Computational Biologist. Computational Biologists use computational tools to model and simulate biological systems. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to build and use these models to study biological systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computational Biologist

Data Scientist

The skills and knowledge that you will gain in this course will also be valuable for a career as a Data Scientist. Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. The course, Experimental Methods in Systems Biology, will help you to develop the skills you need to collect, analyze, and interpret data.

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Epidemiologist

The techniques that you will learn in Experimental Methods in Systems Biology can also be applied to a career in Epidemiology. Epidemiologists study the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events (including disease), and apply this knowledge to control or eliminate health problems. This course will help prepare you for this type of work by providing you with a strong foundation in the technologies used to collect and analyze data on health-related outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Laboratory Technician

Experimental Methods in Systems Biology will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in a career as a Laboratory Technician. Laboratory Technicians conduct experiments and analyze data in a laboratory setting. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to perform experiments, collect data, and analyze results.

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Medical Scientist

The techniques and knowledge that you will learn in Experimental Methods in Systems Biology will be valuable for a career as a Medical Scientist. Medical Scientists conduct research to improve human health. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions about your findings.

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Molecular Biologist

Experimental Methods in Systems Biology will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in a career as a Molecular Biologist. Molecular Biologists study the structure and function of molecules in living organisms. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to conduct experiments to investigate the structure and function of molecules.

See salaries and explore the career path for Molecular Biologist

Physician

The techniques and knowledge that you will learn in Experimental Methods in Systems Biology can also be applied to a career in Medicine. Physicians diagnose and treat diseases. This course will help prepare you for this type of work by providing you with a strong foundation in the technologies used to diagnose and treat diseases.

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Pharmacist

The techniques and knowledge that you will learn in Experimental Methods in Systems Biology can also be applied to a career in Pharmacy. Pharmacists dispense medications and provide advice on their use. This course will help prepare you for this type of work by providing you with a strong foundation in the technologies used to develop and manufacture medications.

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Researcher

Experimental Methods in Systems Biology will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in a career as a Researcher. Researchers conduct experiments to investigate a wide range of topics. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions about your findings.

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Science Teacher

The skills and knowledge that you will learn in Experimental Methods in Systems Biology will be valuable for a career as a Science Teacher. Science Teachers teach science to students at all levels. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to effectively teach science to your students.

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Statistician

Experimental Methods in Systems Biology will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in a career as a Statistician. Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to perform statistical analyses and draw conclusions about your findings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Toxicologist

The techniques and knowledge that you will learn in Experimental Methods in Systems Biology can also be applied to a career in Toxicology. Toxicologists study the effects of toxic substances on living organisms. This course will help prepare you for this type of work by providing you with a strong foundation in the technologies used to assess the toxicity of chemicals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Toxicologist