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Understanding bioinformatics resources and their application
We develop and organise a ten week Masters-level Bioinformatics module for the UCL Genetics Institute's MSc in Genetics of Human Disease.
Competency in genomic and proteomic analyses is a key skill for researchers working in the field of human disease. This Bioinformatics module introduces a number of key genomic and proteomic online resources, and provides the students with first-hand experience in using and understanding the databases.
During the module, students will:
- Learn how and when to use a variety of genomic and proteomic databases and resources
- Gain knowledge of biological ontologies and their applications
- Learn the principles of gene regulation and how it relates to human disease
- Understand the source of curated data and how this affects its interpretation and analysis
- Develop investigative and presentation skills
- Learn to critically evaluate scientific literature
Online resources covered in the module include:
Gene Ontology, UniProt, Ensembl, UCSC browser, BioMart, KEGG, Reactome, InterPro, IntAct, Cytoscape, NCBI, PubMed, MIM and Open Targets and SNP databases including HaploReg and BioGPS.
We use a variety of teaching methods in the module, and learning takes place in the form of lectures, tutorials, computer practicals and self-led study. An independent project tests the student's knowledge and application of databases with a SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism)-based project.
In line with UCL's Connected Curriculum, our module provides research-based education where students learn by enquiry-based approaches where the practical applications of the online resources are made clear.