From Swab to Server: Testing, Sequencing, and Sharing During a Pandemic (FutureLearn)

Discover the process of how swab samples become critical data that aid the knowledge and understanding of the spread of disease. Explore the journey from swabbing to processing data. Sampling and testing are key to understanding where a disease is spreading. In the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of samples taken, analysed, tracked, and shared have far surpassed any previous pandemic.

Enroll in course

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On this three-week course from COG-Train, you will learn about the process that samples undergo to become datasets. You’ll also gain the knowledge of how this data is handled in order to satisfy public health concerns during a pandemic.

Discover how sample strategies can affect scientific research and results

Sampling is a critical part of research in any field. In studying a disease such as Covid-19, it’s imperative that your sample and sampling methods are best-suited to reflect accurate results.

Supported by expert educators, you will explore different sample methods to examine their efficacy. With this knowledge, you’ll be equipped to discuss sampling strategies and their correct applications.

Delve into the ethics of data sharing on a pandemic scale

Data from samples provides scientists with the essential information they need to analyse and track a disease.

However, this sample data can contain highly personal information about the population. You’ll discuss the ethical implications of using and sharing data and consider methods of protecting personal information.

Recognise the importance of data sharing and linkage in public health concerns

Linking genomic data sets to clinical and epidemiological data sets can help us understand the effects of different variants, which is especially prevalent for Covid-19.

With the help of COG-Train, you’ll learn to create holistic datasets through linkage. With this knowledge, you’ll further your understanding of Covid-19 and use your findings to address concerns related to public health.

Syllabus

Week 1: The journey of a sample

Week 2: How to make data richer

Week 3: A sample without data is nothing

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Outline the journey from sample collection, through PCR to sequencing and data linkage

- Compare the different sample types and how sampling strategy affects test performance

- Explain the importance of linking genomic data to clinical and epidemiological data sets to address public health and scientific questions

- Identify and explore ethical, legal and social implications of data use and sharing
Who is the course for?

This course is designed for diagnostic and healthcare professionals, as well as anyone involved in the testing and analysis of disease samples.

It will also be advantageous to researchers specialising in the fields of pandemics, diseases, and diagnostics.