A journey to the cutting edge of computational biology. Learn bioinformatics software and computational methods in modern biology.
Suggested by: Coursera (What is Coursera?)
No prior knowledge required
No unnecessary risks
Join us for one of the top 50 courses of all time!
When you complete this specialization, you will learn how to answer questions in modern biology, using computational methods.
If you are interested in programming, we have an “Excellence Track” that allows you to implement bioinformatic algorithms through code challenges.
Learn more about the Bioinformatics specialization by watching our special video .
You can purchase the printed book of the specialization, Bioinformatic Algorithms: An Active Learning Approach , from the book’s website.
Our first course, “Searching for Hidden Messages in DNA,” was named one of the top 50 courses of all time by Class Central!
What you will learn: This course begins a series of lessons that demonstrate the power of computing in modern biology. We will explore DNA replication and ask: Where in the genome does DNA replication begin? We will implement algorithms to search for hidden messages in the genome.
In the second half of the course, we will examine which DNA patterns play the role of molecular clocks. We will apply random algorithms to solve problems.
Finally, you will experiment with existing software tools to find recurring biological motifs.
Skills you will acquire: bioinformatics, graph theory, algorithms, Python programming.
What you will learn: We will learn how to use graph theory to assemble genomes from short segments of DNA. We will discuss antibiotics and genome sequencing problems.
Finally, you will learn how to apply popular bioinformatics tools to sequence the genome of the Staphylococcus bacterium.
Skills you will acquire: algorithms, Python programming, whole genome sequencing, dynamic programming.
What you will learn: We will compare short biological sequences and use dynamic programming to determine the number of mutations between genes/proteins.
In the second half, we will compare entire genomes and see how combinatorial algorithms can help us understand genome changes.
Skills you will acquire: bioinformatics, dynamic programming, algorithms.
What you will learn: We will build a “tree of life” showing how organisms are related. We will discuss approaches to building evolutionary trees.
We will examine the relationship between birds and dinosaurs and use methods from computational proteomics.
Skills you will acquire: bioinformatics, Python programming, algorithms.
What you will learn: We will present algorithms for clustering a group of objects and show how the algorithms can be applied to gene expression data.
We will introduce another classic tool in data science called principal component analysis.
Skills you will acquire: bioinformatics, algorithms, Python programming.
What you will learn: (Course content not mentioned)
Skills you will gain: (Skills not mentioned)
