Chemical Biology from Coursera

Chemical biology is a burgeoning field that has rapidly risen to prominence. This surge of interest has been fuelled by chemical biology’s applicability to understanding critical processes in live cells or model organisms in real time. This success has arisen because chemical biology straddles a nexus between chemistry, biology, and physics. Thus, chemical biology can harness rapid chemistry to observe or perturb biological processes, that are in turn reported using physical assays, all in an otherwise unperturbed living entity.

Although its boundaries are endless, the multidisciplinary nature of chemical biology can make the field seem daunting; we beg to differ! Here, we deconstruct chemical biology into its core components, and repackage the material. In the process we build up for each student a practical and theoretical knowledge bank that will set these students on their way to understanding and designing their own chemical biology experiments.

We will discuss fluorescence as a general language used to read out biological phenomena as diverse as protein localization, membrane tension, surface phenomena, and enzyme activity. We will proceed to discuss protein labeling strategies and fusion protein design. Then we will discuss larger and larger scale chemical biology mechanism and screening efforts. Highlights include a large amount of new data, tailored in the lab videos, and a large number of skilled presenters.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Chemical Biology: Concepts and techniques

A very warm welcome to you, our new recruits! We'll start you off by acquainting you with the answers to big questions like why study chemical biology and what makes it special. We'll then show some highlights of the course that you are about to take. Finally, we want you to understand some fundamentals, so we are going to start off with some core concepts framed from the perspective of chemical biology.

The Devil is in the Minutest Detail

A picture used to paint a thousand words. But with the advent of multiple color imaging, microscopy can open a lens with which to view life that few other techniques are capable of. We are thus going to take you on a colorful tour that will show you specific fluorophores, explain why different fluorophores have different colors, and how to rationalize why a molecule is fluorescent. Then we will use these fluorophores in cells, to visualize important cellular processes.

A ruler over time and space! Fluorescent assays to measure complex parameters in real time

Here we will discuss how different fluorescent techniques have found fantastically useful applications to understand specific biological regulation processes in vitro and in live cells. We will focus on chromatin regulation and regulation of membrane tension as these are two systems which, without such techniques, we would not have the level of understanding we have today.

Putting proteins to work for us

The classical view of biological science is the laboratory worker working hard to understand a specific protein of interest. But through chemical biology, we have been able to employ proteins to do some of this important work for us. In this module you will learn how to deploy modified protein domains to perform custom-designed functions using light-based techniques as a readout.

Making light work of it on a larger and larger scale

In recent years numerous chemical biology processes have harnessed light-induced chemistry to control biology in terms of turning on or off inhibition, and exerting remote control of localization or chemical reactivity, amongst numerous other examples not covered here. We shed some light on these processes and exemplify the full spectrum of procedures possible using such approaches.

Casting wide your net

We've learned how complex biology is, and how resourceful chemical biologist have started to peer into this complex landscape using custom-designed probes. But given the huge complexity of biology, we often have to start from ground zero, screening for a specific molecule or identifying a target of an interesting molecule. Here we will discuss methods that are ideal for these purposes in cells and in vitro.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Multi-disciplinary and spans scientific disciplines such as chemistry, biology, and physics

Led by specialist instructors in chemical biology; Robbie Loewith and Marcus J. C. Long

Builds a strong conceptual foundation in core aspects of chemical biology for beginners

Become well-versed in fluorescence as a method for observing diverse biological functions in real time

Covers the application of protein labeling and fusion protein designing techniques

Provides learners with an understanding of advanced experimental methodologies, including screening and larger scale chemical biology mechanisms

Reviews summary

Challenging but rewarding chemical biology

Learners say Chemical Biology is a difficult but rewarding course that offers a comprehensive overview of chemical biology concepts. The course is well-structured and features engaging lectures and readings. However, learners should have a strong background in biology, chemistry, and physics to get the most out of this course.

Comprehensive overview of chemical biology concepts.

"A comprehensive and challenging course. An excellent overview of many chem bio concepts and offers a deeper understanding of powerful tools to use in the lab."

"Excellent primer on chemical biology."

Well-structured course with clear organization.

"An amazing course with the right amount of difficulty level, challenging test patterns seeking the accurate grasp of concepts, a very well planned course structure..."

"This is by far the most challenging course I have ever enrolled in on coursera, it made me think and be analytical about my thoughts."

Knowledgeable and engaging instructors.

"Amazing instuctors! Fabulous course, albeit challenging."

"Lecturers are good, and the production quality is on high-level."

Background in biology, chemistry, and physics is recommended.

"As a former instructor of these topics, I was excited to start this course and catch up on what is new in biology, chemistry, and physics. While I learned quite a bit I found myself growing more and more frustrated as the course progressed."

"I wouldn't call this an intermediary level course. It's really challenging, and a lot of background in molecular biology and chemistry is needed."

Be prepared for a challenge.

"The module and instructors were great but the course overall was a very difficult subject to understand."

"I wouldn't call this an intermediary level course. It's really challenging..."

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 Chemical Biology with these activities:

Join a study group for the course

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Enhance your comprehension of course material by actively engaging with peers in a study group, fostering collaborative learning and knowledge exchange.

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Reach out to fellow students and form a study group.
Establish regular meeting times and a communication platform.
Review course materials, discuss key concepts, and solve problems together.

Review protein microscopy techniques

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Review the basic principles and techniques involved in protein microscopy, so that you can better understand the course materials on fluorescence microscopy and protein localization.

Browse courses on Microscopy

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Read a review article on protein microscopy.
Watch a video tutorial on protein microscopy.
Practice using a protein microscopy technique in the lab.

Compile a collection of resources on chemical biology screening assays

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Develop a comprehensive understanding of chemical biology screening assays by gathering and organizing a collection of relevant resources, enhancing your awareness of the techniques and strategies employed in this field.

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Conduct a comprehensive search for articles, protocols, and databases related to chemical biology screening assays.
Organize the collected resources into a coherent and accessible format, such as a curated list or annotated bibliography.
Share your compilation with fellow students or the broader scientific community.

Seven other activities

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Follow tutorials on ImageJ software

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Enhance your image analysis skills using ImageJ, a powerful open-source software commonly used in chemical biology for processing and analyzing microscopy images.

Browse courses on Image Analysis

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Explore the ImageJ website and online documentation to familiarize yourself with its features.
Complete a beginner-level tutorial on image processing and analysis using ImageJ.
Apply your newfound knowledge to analyze microscopy images related to the course topics.

Solve fluorescence microscopy problems

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Practice solving problems related to fluorescence microscopy, so that you can improve your understanding of the concepts and techniques covered in the course.

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Find a set of practice problems on fluorescence microscopy.
Solve the problems using the concepts and techniques you have learned in the course.
Check your answers against the answer key.

Practice designing fusion proteins

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Strengthen your understanding of protein engineering by designing fusion proteins that combine different functionalities, enhancing your ability to manipulate biological systems.

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Review the principles of protein engineering and fusion protein design.
Use online tools or software to design a fusion protein for a specific application.
Analyze the predicted structure and properties of your designed fusion protein.

Attend a workshop on chemical probe design

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Gain valuable insights into the process of designing and optimizing chemical probes, expanding your knowledge of how chemical tools can be developed to study biological systems.

Browse courses on Drug Discovery

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Identify and register for a relevant workshop on chemical probe design.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and exercises.
Apply the acquired knowledge in your understanding of chemical probe design and its applications.

Create a presentation on a protein labeling technique

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Develop a deeper understanding of protein labeling techniques by researching a specific method and presenting your findings, fostering your comprehension and communication skills.

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Choose a protein labeling technique relevant to the course, such as immunofluorescence or Western blotting.
Thoroughly research the technique, including its principles, applications, and limitations.
Create a presentation that clearly explains the technique, including its advantages and disadvantages.

Build a protein localization model

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Complete a set of tutorials to build a protein localization model, which will provide hands-on experience with the concepts and techniques covered in the course.

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Find a set of tutorials on protein localization modeling.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step to build a protein localization model.
Test your model using a set of validation data.

Start a project on a light-induced chemical biology technique

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Gain hands-on experience in chemical biology by initiating a project that utilizes light-induced techniques, deepening your understanding of how light can manipulate biological processes.

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Identify a specific light-induced chemical biology technique that aligns with your interests.
Research the technique, its applications, and potential challenges.
Design and plan a small-scale project that utilizes the chosen technique to address a specific biological question.

Career center

Learners who complete Chemical Biology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Biochemist

A Biochemist studies the chemical processes that occur within living organisms, focusing on the chemical reactions, structures, and properties of substances like proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Chemical Biology is an emerging field that merges chemistry, biology, and physics to study living organisms. By developing a strong foundation in Chemical Biology through this course, you will gain valuable knowledge that can enhance your understanding of the chemical processes that occur within cells and equip you for a successful career as a Biochemist.

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Biophysicist

A Biophysicist investigates the physical aspects of biological systems using a combination of biology, chemistry, and physics. Chemical Biology is a multidisciplinary field that employs similar principles by harnessing chemistry to probe biological processes in living organisms. Taking this course in Chemical Biology will provide you with a strong grounding in the fundamental concepts of chemical biology and its applications in studying biological systems, which can be invaluable for your success as a Biophysicist.

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Cell Biologist

A Cell Biologist explores the structure and function of cells, focusing on their behavior, interactions, and regulation within living organisms. Chemical Biology is a field that combines chemistry, biology, and physics to understand biological processes at the cellular level. By enrolling in this course, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of chemical biology techniques and their applications, which can significantly enhance your capabilities as a Cell Biologist.

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Computational Biologist

A Computational Biologist leverages computational methods to analyze and interpret biological data, helping to advance our understanding of biological systems. Chemical Biology, an emerging field that combines chemistry, biology, and physics, provides a valuable foundation for Computational Biologists. Through this course, you will gain insights into the application of chemical biology techniques to study biological processes, which can complement your skills in computational analysis.

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Forensic Scientist

A Forensic Scientist applies scientific methods and techniques to analyze evidence in criminal or civil cases. Chemical Biology is a rapidly growing field that combines chemistry, biology, and physics to study biological processes at the molecular level. With its focus on techniques like fluorescence microscopy, protein labeling, and chemical screening, this course can provide valuable insights for those interested in a career as a Forensic Scientist.

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Geneticist

A Geneticist studies genes and their role in heredity and variation within living organisms. Chemical Biology, which combines chemistry, biology, and physics, offers valuable tools and techniques for Geneticists. By taking this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of how chemical biology techniques can be employed to study gene expression, regulation, and function, enhancing your expertise as a Geneticist.

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Medical Scientist

A Medical Scientist combines medical knowledge with laboratory research to develop new treatments and therapies for diseases. This course in Chemical Biology offers a unique opportunity for Medical Scientists to gain a deep understanding of how chemistry, biology, and physics converge to study biological processes. By exploring techniques like fluorescence microscopy, protein engineering, and chemical screening, you can expand your skillset and enhance your ability to contribute to medical research and drug discovery.

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Molecular Biologist

A Molecular Biologist studies the structure and function of molecules, particularly nucleic acids and proteins, to understand their role in biological processes. This course in Chemical Biology offers a solid foundation for Molecular Biologists, combining chemistry, biology, and physics to provide a comprehensive understanding of biological systems. The course's focus on techniques like fluorescence microscopy, protein engineering, and chemical screening can significantly enhance your expertise in molecular biology.

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Pharmacologist

A Pharmacologist studies the effects of drugs on biological systems. This course in Chemical Biology provides a unique opportunity for Pharmacologists to gain insights into the chemical basis of drug action and drug development. By learning about techniques like fluorescence microscopy, protein engineering, and chemical screening, you can expand your knowledge and enhance your ability to contribute to drug discovery and development.

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Physicist

A Physicist studies the fundamental principles that govern the physical world. This course in Chemical Biology offers a unique perspective for Physicists, combining chemistry, biology, and physics to understand biological systems. By exploring techniques like fluorescence microscopy, protein engineering, and chemical screening, you can gain valuable insights into the application of physical principles in biological research.

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Research Scientist

A Research Scientist conducts scientific research in a specialized field. This course in Chemical Biology offers a strong foundation for Research Scientists, combining chemistry, biology, and physics to study biological processes. The course's focus on techniques like fluorescence microscopy, protein engineering, and chemical screening can significantly enhance your expertise in scientific research.

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Science Writer

A Science Writer communicates complex scientific concepts and research findings to a broader audience. This course in Chemical Biology can provide Science Writers with a deep understanding of the field, enabling them to effectively translate scientific advancements for various audiences. By exploring techniques like fluorescence microscopy, protein engineering, and chemical screening, you can gain valuable insights into the process of scientific discovery and enhance your ability to communicate complex scientific concepts.

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Toxicologist

A Toxicologist studies the effects of toxic substances on living organisms. This course in Chemical Biology offers a foundation for Toxicologists, combining chemistry, biology, and physics to understand the interactions between toxic substances and biological systems. By learning about techniques like fluorescence microscopy, protein engineering, and chemical screening, you can gain valuable insights into the mechanisms of toxicity and enhance your ability to assess and mitigate the effects of toxic substances.

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Laboratory Technician

A Laboratory Technician conducts experiments and analyzes data under the supervision of a scientist or researcher. This course in Chemical Biology can provide Laboratory Technicians with a strong foundation in the field, combining chemistry, biology, and physics to study biological processes. By exploring techniques like fluorescence microscopy, protein engineering, and chemical screening, you can gain valuable hands-on experience and enhance your skills as a Laboratory Technician.

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Quality Control Analyst

A Quality Control Analyst ensures the quality of products or services by monitoring and evaluating production processes. This course in Chemical Biology can provide Quality Control Analysts with a strong foundation in the field, combining chemistry, biology, and physics to understand the quality control processes in various industries. By learning about techniques like fluorescence microscopy, protein engineering, and chemical screening, you can gain valuable insights into quality control methodologies and enhance your ability to ensure product and service quality.

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