DNA Decoded

McMaster University via Coursera

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Details

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Free Online Course (Audit)
Languages

English
Certificate

Paid Certificate Available
Duration & workload

22 hours 36 minutes
Sessions

On-Demand
Level

Intermediate
Subtitles

Arabic, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Russian, English, Spanish, Serbian, Turkish, Kazakh, Hindi, Swedish, Korean, Greek, Chinese, Thai, Ukrainian, Japanese, Indonesian, Polish, Dutch, Hungarian, Bengali, Pashto, Urdu, Azerbaijani, Farsi

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Overview

Are you a living creature? Then, congratulations! You’ve got DNA. But how much do you really know about the microscopic molecules that make you unique? Why is DNA called the “blueprint of life”? What is a “DNA fingerprint”? How do scientists clone DNA? What can DNA teach you about your family history? Are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) safe? Is it possible to revive dinosaurs by cloning their DNA? DNA Decoded answers these questions and more. If you’re curious about DNA, join Felicia Vulcu and Caitlin Mullarkey, two biochemists from McMaster University, as they explore the structure of DNA, how scientists cracked the genetic code, and what our DNA can tell us about ourselves. Along the way, you’ll learn about the practical techniques that scientists use to analyze our genetic risks, to manipulate DNA, and to develop new treatments for a range of different diseases. Then, step into our virtual lab to perform your own forensic DNA analysis of samples from a crime scene and solve a murder.

Syllabus

Cracking the Genetic Code

In this module, we'll explore the molecular structure of DNA. What is DNA? What are the basic building blocks of DNA? Where can you find DNA within a cell? We'll learn about how James Watson and Francis Crick were able to solve the riddle of the molecular structure of DNA by building on the work of other scientists. Their groundbreaking discovery revealed that four nucleobases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) combine with sugar and phosphate molecules to form the familiar double helix of DNA. We'll take a look at how the molecular structure of DNA regulates its functions; for example, how the chemical bonds (covalent and noncovalent) between these molecules allow DNA to "unzip" during replication. Then we'll take a look at how you manage to fit over three billion base pairs into each of your cells. (Here's a hint: Histones, nucleosomes, and chromosomes would be great at packing for a trip!)

Getting the Message Across: Transcription, Translation, and Replication

We've all heard DNA described as "the blueprint of life," but what does that actually mean? Each one of the approximately 20,000 genes in our bodies contains the instructions for building a protein. In this module, we'll explain how RNA copies the genetic information contained in our genes and uses this information to assemble amino acids into proteins. Scientists call this concept "Central Dogma": DNA makes RNA and RNA makes protein. We'll also explore how we transmit genetic information from one cell to another -- and what happens when things go wrong. Along the way, we'll learn about techniques (such as polymerase chain reactions and gel electrophoresis) that forensic scientists use in DNA fingerprinting. Join us this week for murder and mayhem in the lab!

Manipulating DNA

In this module, we'll explore the techniques scientists use to manipulate DNA. Genetic engineering has allowed us to increase crop yields, diagnose illnesses, develop vaccines, and manufacture insulin. By carefully selecting a pair of molecular scissors (restriction enzymes), scientists are able to isolate a gene of interest and insert it into plasmid DNA, turning a common bacteria (E. coli) into a molecular copying machine. This week, we'll learn that mutations are genetic errors, but that not all mutations are necessarily bad — in fact, some mutations confer a selective advantage that protects against disease. We'll explain what genetically modified organisms are (and what they are not) and weigh in on the heated debates about the ethics and safety of GMOs in popular media.

DNA and Me

What does your DNA say about you? You may have heard that you share 99% of your genetic material with everyone else on the planet. That's true, but this week we're going to take a look at the less than 1% that makes you unique. We'll kick off by discussing the Human Genome Project, the massive scientific collaboration that mapped out the sequence of all our genetic material. The technologies developed while mapping out the human genome ushered in a new age in DNA research. Now, genome-wide association studies can analyze massive amounts of data, searching for genetic variations that are associated with particular diseases. Pharmacogenomics may help determine which drugs are likely be most effective for you. Genetic genealogy tests (such as Ancestry DNA, 23 and Me, and Family Tree DNA) will allow you to trace random mutations in your DNA that can provide clues to your ethnic heritage. As an added bonus, we'll discuss whether it would be possible to revive extinct species by studying ancient DNA.

Taught by

Caitlin Mullarkey and Felicia Vulcu

Reviews

4.3 rating, based on 6 Class Central reviews

4.8 rating at Coursera based on 1253 ratings

Start your review of DNA Decoded

Aedrian Abrilla @aaabrilla

I took this course, with medical and graduate school-level understanding of the topics covered, primarily to get ideas on how such complex material can be taught to teenagers and/or early-in-major/non-major college students. The presentation of the…

I took this course, with medical and graduate school-level understanding of the topics covered, primarily to get ideas on how such complex material can be taught to teenagers and/or early-in-major/non-major college students. The presentation of the material is creative, and the emphasis on “broad strokes” or key points, that are required at minimum to grasp more intricate concepts down the line (and beyond the scope of this course), is delivered clearly.

I highly appreciate the energy of the presenters throughout the course, but I have to admit that there are few moments that I cringed with the humor (this is understandable, since I believe that I do not belong to the target audience of this offering, anyway).

Furthermore, this course has also allowed me to re-acknowledge the basics that are often taken for granted or minded fleetingly as you work on/study more complex molecular biology concepts.

The added/optional references are also generally topnotch. With regard to relevant history of the field, I have learned new details on the people, circumstances and processes that led to some key discoveries. Unfortunately, some reference links no longer lead to useful content and are due for editing/updating by the course creators. Also, I encountered fatal issues in attempting to use the virtual laboratory simulator, which I thought is an added layer to ensure driving home important points particularly in the step-by-step conduct of techniques.

I wish that I have taken a material like this 15 years ago. All in all, I highly recommend this course to anyone of all ages who wish to have an overview of molecular biology that demands no prerequisite knowledge. In particular, I hope kids and teens can take this course so they can be properly introduced to the potential this field can offer them should they embark on this path.
Sonal P Patel @sonal

This class is a real treat to any curious learner! This is targeted towards teenagers to spark their interest in genetics while learning about DNA in a fun and interactive way. Still, in the MOOC world, I consider every curious learner is like a t…

This class is a real treat to any curious learner! This is targeted towards teenagers to spark their interest in genetics while learning about DNA in a fun and interactive way. Still, in the MOOC world, I consider every curious learner is like a teenager in their learning journey.

Both the instructors are amazingly active, creative, and energetic. Love their enthusiasm to teach complicated topics in DNA decoding, its use, applications, and much more! They also have an interactive lab, that I did not use due to some personal problem, I still, can imagine, an active learner will truly enjoy it!

I truly enjoyed this class and I highly recommend this class who has any curiosity about DNA! I think everyone should take this class, and everyone will take away something different and valuable from this class and continue to learn more on other more advanced MOOCs.

This class was truly refreshing, very well taught. I would highly recommend this class to anyone! Enjoy and have fun learning about DNA!
Dino Zanette

Lab simulation is wonderful and stimulates the person to know more. The lectures have a good ability inpresenting a complicated topic in an understabable manner. The topics presented are very interesting and useful in understanding this sector of science.
Asmamaw Menelih Belay

My name is Asmamaw Menelih. i live in ethiopia and i have Msc. degree in genetics. Currently, i working at mekdela Amba University, Ethiopia in the position of lecturer. If i took this course i will become more effective in my carrer.
Emmanuel Kayode

It is an interesting course that open your understanding to know more about DNA,the relationship between DNA and health,benefit of DNA research and lots more.
Ghada Hammad

Simple and engaging

Intro course for beginners

I liked the experiments and the storytelling

If someone try to get into field, he will enjoy to start with this one

No basc knowledge is required, just some biology