Genomics of Infectious Diseases

BCH2024H

The emergence of affordable next generation ‘omics technologies is transforming our understanding of how pathogens are able to infect and cause disease. The challenge is how best to exploit these technologies and interpret the data that results. In this course we will examine state of the art ‘omics technologies including next generation sequencing, single cell genomics, proteomics, population genomics and systems modelling and their application of infectious diseases. The course will feature a mixture of lectures and student-led journal presentations. A course assignment will focus on a dry-lab tutorial that takes the students through the process of analyzing a next generation sequence data set generated from complex microbial communities.

Course Objectives:

  • Learn about ‘omics technologies and their application to infectious disease
  • Develop critical thinking skills concerning evaluating journal articles
  • Gain practical experience in the processing and analysis of large sequence datasets

 

The basic outline for what will be covered in the six weeks is below. Assigned reading will be sent out the week in advance. All students are expected to read the assigned articles and comment in class. These articles are meant to provide context for the accompanying lecture.

Week 1: Course Overview / Next Generation Sequencing Technologies
Week 2: Sequencing Applications I
Week 3: Sequencing Applications II
Week 4: Microbiomes I
Week 5: Microbiomes II
Week 6: From Genomes to Systems

Course Next Offered

June-July 2020

Course Time and Location

Two hour lectures.
Mondays 10AM-12PM starting June 8th and finishing July 13th.
Online class.

If you anticipate missing a class you must let the instructor know in advance, given the weight on participation and the fact that there are only six classes. Providing that you had a legitimate reason for missing the class, you be expected to catch up on the reading for that week that you can use to make up for the lost class.

Enrollment Limit

Yes — 12

Method of Student Evaluation

Punctual attendance 10%
Participation in journal discussions 10%
Journal presentation 40%
Assignment 40%

Coordinator

John Parkinson

John Parkinson

Peter Gilgan Center for Research and Learning
20th Floor, RM 20.9709
686 Bay Street
416-813-5746
jparkin@sickkids.ca

Last Updated 22 May 2020