- Level Foundation
- Duration 16 hours
- Course by University of California San Diego
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Offered by
About
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.Modules
Welcome!
1
Videos
- (Check Out Our Wacky Course Intro Video)
1
Readings
- Course Details
Week 1 (Chapter 1, Part 1/2)
1
Assignment
- Week 1 Quiz
1
External Tool
- Interactive Text for Week 1
2
Videos
- Where in the Genome Does DNA Replication Begin? (Part 1) (11:37)
- Where in the Genome Does DNA Replication Begin? (Part 2) (06:24)
2
Readings
- Week 1 FAQs (Optional)
- What is Pseudocode? (Optional)
Complete the Code Challenges!
1
External Tool
- Open in order to Sync Your Progress: Stepik Interactive Text for Week 1
Week 2 (Chapter 1, Part 2/2)
1
Assignment
- Week 2 Quiz
1
External Tool
- Interactive Text for Week 2
2
Videos
- Where in the Genome Does DNA Replication Begin? (Part 3) (09:05)
- Where in the Genome Does DNA Replication Begin? (Part 4) (04:10)
1
Readings
- Week 2 FAQs (Optional)
Complete the Code Challenges!
1
External Tool
- Open in order to Sync Your Progress: Stepik Interactive Text for Week 2
Week 3: Which DNA Patterns Play the Role of Molecular Clocks? (Part 1/2)
1
Assignment
- Week 3 Quiz
1
External Tool
- Interactive Text for Week 3
3
Videos
- From Implanted Patterns to Regulatory Motifs (Part 1) (10:09)
- From Implanted Patterns to Regulatory Motifs (Part 2) (05:06)
- From Implanted Patterns to Regulatory Motifs (Part 3) (07:22)
1
Readings
- Week 3 FAQs (Optional)
Complete the Code Challenges!
1
External Tool
- Open in order to Sync Your Progress: Stepik Interactive Text for Week 3
Week 4: Which DNA Patterns Play the Role of Molecular Clocks? (Part 2/2)
1
Assignment
- Week 4 Quiz
1
External Tool
- Interactive Text for Week 4
3
Videos
- How Rolling Dice Helps Us Find Regulatory Motifs (Part 1) (12:43)
- How Rolling Dice Helps Us Find Regulatory Motifs (Part 2) (05:37)
- How Rolling Dice Helps Us Find Regulatory Motifs (Part 3) (07:46)
1
Readings
- Week 4 FAQs (Optional)
Complete the Code Challenges on Stepic!
1
External Tool
- Open in order to Sync Your Progress: Interactive Text for Week 4
Bioinformatics Application Challenge: Finding Motifs
1
Peer Review
- Bioinformatics Application Challenge

Pavel Pevzner

Phillip Compeau