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.
(Check Out Our Wacky Course Intro Video)
Loading...
Skills You'll Learn
Algorithms, Critical Thinking, Bioinformatics Algorithms, Bioinformatics, General Statistics, Statistical Programming, Python Programming
Reviews
4.3 (1,035 ratings)
- 5 stars64.44%
- 4 stars20.96%
- 3 stars3.96%
- 2 stars3.18%
- 1 star7.43%
DD
Sep 11, 2019
The material of the course is simply exquisitely presented. The concepts are clear, easy to grasp. You won't be a bioinformatician after doing this course, but you'll make the first step.
MS
Feb 1, 2020
Excellent course. The Stepik grading could use a couple of tweaks and perhaps a bit more debugging, but it was an excellent blend of bioinformatics, molecular biology, and programming.
Taught By
Pavel Pevzner
Professor
Phillip Compeau
Visiting Researcher