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Finding Hidden Messages in DNA (Bioinformatics I)

Bioinformatics,

Named a top 50 MOOC of all time by Class Central! This course begins a series of classes illustrating the power of computing in modern biology. Please join us on the frontier of bioinformatics to look for hidden messages in DNA without ever needing to put on a lab coat. In the first half of the course, we investigate DNA replication, and ask the question, where in the genome does DNA replication begin? We will see that we can answer this question for many bacteria using only some straightforward algorithms to look for hidden messages in the genome. In the second half of the course, we examine a different biological question, when we ask which DNA patterns play the role of molecular clocks. The cells in your body manage to maintain a circadian rhythm, but how is this achieved on the level of DNA? Once again, we will see that by knowing which hidden messages to look for, we can start to understand the amazingly complex language of DNA. Perhaps surprisingly, we will apply randomized algorithms, which roll dice and flip coins in order to solve problems. Finally, you will get your hands dirty and apply existing software tools to find recurring biological motifs within genes that are responsible for helping Mycobacterium tuberculosis go "dormant" within a host for many years before causing an active infection.

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Rating 4.5★ based on 123 ratings
Length 6 weeks
Effort 4-10 hours/week
Starts Oct 31 (32 weeks ago)
Cost $79
From University of California San Diego via Coursera
Instructors Pavel Pevzner, Phillip E. C. Compeau, Phillip Compeau
Download Videos On all desktop and mobile devices
Language English
Subjects Programming Science
Tags Computer Science Life Sciences Algorithms Bioinformatics Health Informatics

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What people are saying

computer science background

Good programming exercises which are easy to medium difficulty with a computer science background.

Some of the biological explanations are too brief without a biological background, and I would guess the same for students without a computer science background regarding the exercises.

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interactive text

No videos, just an interactive textbook.

Loved the interactive text with the graded coding exercises.

The figures in the interactive text don't show up and the are very few people available who can grade your assignment.

There are also short lectures which, while useful and entertaining, aren't actually necessary for success; the interactive text is so understandable and complete that it has all you really need.

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at times

Only cons to this course is that it tries to split the line between biologists wanting to learn more bioinformatics and data scientists wanting to learn bioinformatics which boils down to the coding being tough and at times not well explained and there not being enough explanation for the biology part.

It can be tough at times but it is amazingly accessible to all who are genuinely interested.

Challenging at times.

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programming language

Much of it felt like simply translating their pseudocode into your programming language of choice.

But still a little bit of programming language is needed.

But prior basic knowledge in any programming language would be appropriate if someone wants to extract every aspect of this course.

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very interesting

E Very interesting.

Very interesting lectures and practical assignments.

Very interesting course for those who want to learn new algorithms.

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well structured

The course content is well structured and clearly described.

Very well structured and informative.

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for beginners

If you have no previous knowledge in this topic, I would recommend to start with the beginner's course "Biology Meets Programming: Bioinformatics for Beginners" in order to be prepared for concepts like pseudocode or the computational way of thinking in general.Definitely recommended!

This is certainly not a course for beginners!

well explained

Very well explained.

Very well explained for both biologists and computer scientists.

Careers

An overview of related careers and their average salaries in the US. Bars indicate income percentile.

DNA Lab technician $45k

DNA Technician 1 $60k

Senior DNA Analyst $67k

DNA Sequencer Manager $78k

Senior DNA Loan Analyst $92k

DNA Lab technician 2 $93k

DNA Sequencer 1 $95k

DNA/RNA Researcher $109k

DNA Lab technician Lead $116k

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Rating 4.5★ based on 123 ratings
Length 6 weeks
Effort 4-10 hours/week
Starts Oct 31 (32 weeks ago)
Cost $79
From University of California San Diego via Coursera
Instructors Pavel Pevzner, Phillip E. C. Compeau, Phillip Compeau
Download Videos On all desktop and mobile devices
Language English
Subjects Programming Science
Tags Computer Science Life Sciences Algorithms Bioinformatics Health Informatics

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