Bacterial Genomes: From DNA to Protein Function Using Bioinformatics from FutureLearn

• Bioinformatics tools, DNA and protein sequences • Retrieving DNA and protein sequences from repositories • Databases for protein annotation • Inferring function from sequence Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more The course will be of interest to undergraduates, post-graduates, researchers, bioinformaticians, biomedical researchers, microbiologists, healthcare professionals and all those who are interested in learning about the underlying mechanisms of bacterial disease, DNA sequences and protein data, or how to use online analytical tools to probe genomes. The topics covered in this course are applicable to the genomes of all organisms. It is not essential to have previous knowledge or experience in bioinformatics. Scientific terminology is explained. The opportunity to use online computational tools in the context of bacterial genomes will also be of interest to teachers and their 16-18-year-old science and computing students. You can use the hashtag #FLsequence2function to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Reviews summary

Foundational bioinformatics for bacterial genomes

According to learners, 'Bacterial Genomes: From DNA to Protein Function Using Bioinformatics' offers a solid introduction to the field, particularly for those with a biology background but limited bioinformatics experience. Students consistently highlight the clear explanations of complex topics and the value of the practical exercises using online tools. These hands-on activities are seen as a major strength, reinforcing learning and allowing immediate application. While the course provides a strong foundation in bacterial genomics and protein function, some advanced learners found the depth to be too basic, preferring more extensive coverage or command-line tool usage. There were also occasional comments about the pacing and clarity of tool instructions.

Highly relevant for biologists/microbiologists.

"Highly recommended for biologists wanting to dip their toes into genomics analysis."

"As a microbiologist, I found this course useful for understanding how bioinformatics can assist my research. The emphasis on bacterial genomes was perfect."

"I really enjoyed the sections on protein function and annotation databases. The material feels current and relevant."

Hands-on exercises are highly valuable.

"...the practical exercises using online tools were incredibly helpful. I especially appreciated the step-by-step guidance."

"The hands-on parts were the best, allowing me to apply what I learned immediately."

"The practical exercises reinforced the learning. A solid foundation for further learning..."

Excellent for those new to bioinformatics.

"This course was a fantastic introduction to bioinformatics for someone with a biology background but no prior coding experience. The explanations were clear..."

"Excellent course! The instructors explained complex topics in an easy-to-understand manner."

"Very accessible course for someone with a biology background. The concepts were broken down well..."

Instructions for tools could be clearer.

"The instructions for the online tools could have been clearer, as I had to do a lot of troubleshooting myself."

"I struggled with the pace. Sometimes it felt too fast... not as polished as I'd hoped."

May be too basic for experienced researchers.

"...I found some parts a bit superficial for an advanced researcher. If you're already familiar with the concepts, you might not gain much new insight."

"I expected more depth, especially for advanced topics. The course felt too elementary for a researcher... not for me."

"While it covered a broad range of topics, I felt some practical aspects, like command-line tools, were omitted. It's more conceptual than practical in depth."

Career center

Learners who complete Bacterial Genomes: From DNA to Protein Function Using Bioinformatics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers: