Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/covid-19-genome-assembly
In recent years, the world has experienced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As scientists and researchers race against time to understand this novel virus, there is a growing interest in the biological and computational approaches taken to combat such global health crises. The course ‘Hacking COVID-19 — Course 1: Identifying a Deadly Pathogen’ on Coursera offers a deep dive into this riveting field of study, focussing on the genomic analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
**Overview of the Course**
This course is designed for a range of students, whether you’re starting fresh in computational biology or have ample experience in bioinformatics. The course guides you on a journey, following bioinformaticians as they work to unravel the complexities of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Through a mix of video lectures, interactive activities, and practical exercises, you will be fully immersed in genomic concepts relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic.
**Course Syllabus**
The course is structured across two weeks, offering an educational path from historical context to hands-on genomic assembly.
– **Week 1** sets the stage by exploring the origins of the SARS outbreak in 2003, leading to the rise of SARS-CoV-2 at the end of 2019. You’ll learn crucial biological insights about this virus, allowing you to understand its impact on global health.
– **Week 2** shifts towards the technical aspects of genome sequencing. Here, you’ll discover how modern sequencing technologies work and gain practical experience using SPAdes to assemble the SARS-CoV-2 genome from smaller fragments. Additionally, you will assess the quality of the assembled genome with tools like QUAST.
**Why You Should Take This Course**
This course is not just an impressive academic pursuit; it has real-world applications that resonate with current global health challenges. By the end of this course, you’ll have developed invaluable skills in bioinformatics that could contribute to public health initiatives or scientific research. The immersive learning experience combined with effective tutorials ensures that even those new to the field can gain confidence and competency.
For anyone inspired by the intersection of biology, technology, and public health, ‘Hacking COVID-19’ presents a unique opportunity to learn and engage in a meaningful and impactful way.
In summary, whether you want to ignite your passion for bioinformatics or expand your existing knowledge, this course is an excellent recommendation. Join a community of learners and professionals who are committed to understanding and fighting against infectious diseases. Your journey into the world of genomic research starts here!
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/covid-19-genome-assembly