Back to Genomics: Decoding the Universal Language of Life
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Genomics: Decoding the Universal Language of Life

What is a genome? A genome contains all of the information that a cell needs to develop, function, and reproduce itself, and all the information needed for those cells to come together to form a person, plant, or animal. Genomes contain an organism’s complete set of genes, and also the even tinier genetic structures that help regulate when and how those genes are used. The ability to regrow a torn ligament, the clues that might predict the onset of mental illness, the nutritional potential of crops, and even the history of life itself, are all encoded in genomes. By taking this course, you will discover how scientists are deciphering the language of genomes to learn how to develop sustainable food and fuel supplies, improve disease treatment and prevention, and protect our environment. Professor Robinson is the main instructor for this course. In addition, each module features several guest instructors. These guest instructors come from diverse fields of study—biology, physics, computer science, and many others—and pursue diverse research goals, yet they share a common interest in genomic approaches and technologies. The guest instructors include: - Elizabeth (Lisa) Ainsworth, Associate Professor of Plant Biology - Mark Band, Director of the Functional Genomics Facility - Alison Bell, Associate Professor of Animal Biology - Jenny Drnevich, Functional Genomics Bioinformatics Specialist with High-Performance Biological Computing - Christopher Fields, Associate Director of High-Performance Biological Computing - Bruce Fouke, Director of the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center - Glenn Fried, Director of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology Core Facilities - Nigel Goldenfeld, Professor of Physics - Brendan Harley, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering - Alvaro Hernandez, Director of the High-Throughput Sequencing and Genotyping Facility - Victor Jongeneel, former NCSA Director of Bioinformatics and former Director of High-Performance Biological Computing - Kingsley Boateng, Senior Research Specialist with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology Core Facilities - Stephen Long, Professor of Plant Biology and Crop Sciences - Ruby Mendenhall, Associate Professor of African American Studies - William Metcalf, Professor of Microbiology - Karen Sears, Assistant Professor of Animal Biology - Saurabh Sinha, Associate Professor of Computer Science - Lisa Stubbs, Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology - Rachel Whitaker, Associate Professor of Microbiology - Derek Wildman, Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology - Peter Yau, Director of the Protein Sciences Facility

Status: Biology
Status: Sustainable Development
BeginnerCourse40 hours

Featured reviews

HM

5.0Reviewed Jul 27, 2021

Amazing course with highly experienced and trained faculty. I am really happy.

SS

5.0Reviewed Jan 16, 2022

This is a very delightful course. i learned and enjoyed a lot while doing it. looking forward to more courses from illinoi.

MA

5.0Reviewed Jan 2, 2019

Quite informative and useful course... I just love it...

MP

5.0Reviewed Aug 2, 2020

Hello, myself Mili PatelI really enjoyed this course. All in this course satisfying and just want to say it's beyond my expectation. Thank you.... 🙂

SI

5.0Reviewed Dec 17, 2020

This course helped me better understand genomics. The instructors used simple language and were easy to understand. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested.

UU

5.0Reviewed May 25, 2023

I would highly recommend for anyone looking to understand the basic concept of Genomics

KA

5.0Reviewed Sep 16, 2022

A​ very interesting course which provided me with a lot of information regarding genomics.

PG

4.0Reviewed Jun 30, 2020

Overall Good, But expected a little bit on application of coding, simple algorithms in the syllabus.

JK

5.0Reviewed Sep 14, 2020

i really enjoyed the course, and i want to thank all for designing this curriculum and presenting it in easy understandable design

SS

5.0Reviewed Sep 16, 2018

Great course, gives a beautiful visual and colorful introduction and possibilities in Genomics!

TO

4.0Reviewed May 12, 2021

Nicely presented, interesting combination of materials and links & prompts to further outside reading.

RS

5.0Reviewed Mar 1, 2021

really very helpful course for understanding genomics thoroughly

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