Genome and Protein Engineering

Medicine and Bioscience

In the past decades, there has been an explosion of DNA sequencing data. This surge of data
has allowed scientists and doctors to explore the human genome in more ways than ever.
Additionally, private citizens are increasingly able to obtain their own genomic data through
various personal genomics companies like 23&Me and Ancestry. In this course, we explore what
does all of this new genomic data mean, how can we utilize it to identify and treat disease (on a
personalized level), and how can we make these technologies more inclusive for all societies on
a global scale. Weekly topics will explore questions such as: Where does the “reference human
genome” come from? What is the ‘personalized medicine’ movement? How do at-home
genomics kits work & what can we learn from them? Interactive learning activities will include
learning how to analyze raw sequencing data in a genome browser, engaging with guest
speaker(s), researching/debating your own questions about the ethics of at-home genomics kits,
and more.

Once a week, every Saturday
Between March 28 - June 4, 2022

Real - Time Classes
10 AM – 11:45 AM (EST)

Meet students from different countries
with your same interests

Ana Lyons Ph.D.

Student Department of Integrative Biology - UC Berkeley

Ana Lyons is a rising 5th year Ph.D. student at UC Berkeley in the Department of Integrative Biology, with a designated emphasis in Computational Biology. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program Fellow, Ana studies how microscopic animals known as tardigrades (or "water bears") survive freezing temperatures—using methods from comparative physiology, protein biochemistry, microscopy, and molecular biology. As part of her graduate training, she participated in an NSF-funded research expedition in McMurdo Station, Antarctica where she met many friendly penguins and Antarctic tardigrades. Ana received her double major Bachelor of Science Degree from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in 2012, and a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree from Relay Graduate School of Education in 2015. Before starting her Ph.D. at UC Berkeley, she spent a year conducting molecular biology research in Stuttgart, Germany, and she then spent 2 years teaching 7th-grade science in the Bronx, NYC. Ana is involved in extensive scientific outreach through mentoring research trainees, science writing, participating in K12 outreach, and working to make STEM fields more equitable on and off-campus. She has taught various science outreach programs at MIT (Cambridge, MA) and abroad (South Korea, China).

Important Information

Deadline to Apply:

February 13, 2022

Tuition: US $870 (USD)

Genome and Protein Engineering