Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/molecular-evolution
Have you ever wondered about the intricate connections between all living organisms? Or perhaps you’re fascinated by how we can trace the evolutionary paths of viruses and ancient creatures? If so, Coursera’s ‘Molecular Evolution (Bioinformatics IV)’ course is an absolute must-take.
Building upon foundational knowledge of gene and protein comparison, this course delves deep into the fascinating world of evolutionary tree construction. The instructors masterfully guide you through methods that have shaped our understanding of life’s history, including techniques that have led to some of the most impactful scientific papers ever published. The course tackles compelling biological questions, such as pinpointing the animal responsible for SARS and exploring the surprising link between T. rex and modern-day chickens.
Week 1 kicks off with a solid introduction to evolutionary tree construction, setting the stage with engaging questions and even a captivating bioinformatics cartoon by Randall Christopher. You’ll learn how seemingly disparate organisms like stick bugs and bats can be connected through the lens of bioinformatics, especially in understanding and combating deadly viruses. The visual aids and the connection to the ‘bioinformaticsalgorithms.com’ companion book truly enhance the learning experience.
As the course progresses, you’ll explore sophisticated algorithms for tree construction, including the renowned neighbor-joining algorithm, a cornerstone of evolutionary biology. The syllabus highlights how these methods are applied to real-world problems, from understanding disease outbreaks like Ebola to analyzing molecular evidence that supports evolutionary theories like the dinosaur-bird connection.
Week 6 culminates in a practical Bioinformatics Application Challenge where you’ll apply the learned algorithms to reconstruct an ebolavirus evolutionary tree, directly addressing the origins of a recent African outbreak. This hands-on approach solidifies the theoretical concepts and demonstrates the power of bioinformatics in solving critical biological mysteries.
Overall, ‘Molecular Evolution (Bioinformatics IV)’ is an intellectually stimulating and practically relevant course. It’s ideal for students and professionals in biology, bioinformatics, and related fields who want to deepen their understanding of evolutionary processes and the computational tools used to study them. Highly recommended!
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/molecular-evolution