Diabetes - a Global Challenge (Coursera)

Diabetes - a Global Challenge (Coursera)

Diabetes and obesity are growing health problems in rich and poor countries alike. With this course you will get updated on cutting-edge diabetes and obesity research including biological, genetic and clinical aspects as well as prevention and epidemiology of diabetes and obesity. All lectures are provided by high-profile scientists from one the world's leading universities in diabetes research.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Introduction and epidemiology of diabetes
We are delighted to be able to welcome you to Diabetes – a Global Challenge. In module 1, we will focus on the epidemiology of diabetes and obesity which we lead us to this week discussion topic: "What the greatest diabetes challenges of our time might be in your opinion?" You can either post your opinion as text or as a link to a short video statement.

WEEK 2
Obesity and Prevention of Diabetes
We will start module 2 together by discussing physical activity, its influence on obesity, insulin resistance and the prevention of diabetes.

WEEK 3
Physiological Regulation of Plasma Glucose
During module 3 we will focus on physiological
 regulation of plasma glucose. Professor Jens Juul Holst will guide you through the complex regulation of glucose in humans. This will be difficult but hang on you will see the usefulness of what you learn in this module during the subsequent modules where we will discuss the incretins and treatment of hyperglycemia

WEEK 4
The incretins
Incretin biology is now applied in treating subjects with diabetes and recently approved by the FDA for weight reduction. But what does they do? Don't hesitate to start watching the videos because in this module you will learn all about the incretin lead byProfessor Jens Juul Holst

WEEK 5
Clinical manifestation of Diabetes and Treatment
We hope that you enjoyed last modules about glucose regulation and incretin biology thus it may seems more advanced compared to first modules.We hope you stay with us and learn more about Clinical Manifestation of Diabetes and Treatment by Professor Allan Vaag and treatment of hyperglycemia by Professor Sten Madsbad.

WEEK 6
Inflammatory Beta-cell Destruction in Diabetes
Inflammatory beta-cell destruction in diabetes by professor Thomas Mandrup-Poulsen. During this module we Professor Mandrup-Poulsen will guide you through cytokines mediated destruction of the pancreatic beta-cells furthermore their potentiality as drugs targets.

WEEK 7
Genetic Aspects of Diabetes
Genetics are important for understanding and treating diabetes. In this module Professor Torben Hansen will discuss the genetic aspects of diabetes

WEEK 8
Translational Aspects
Translational medicine? Learn more by watching our new module by Assistant Professor Torekov. In this module we will discuss two case of translational aspects to highlight its importance. In other words we will go from bench to bedside.

WEEK 9
Development of antidiabetic agents
Have you ever thought "how to develop a antidiabetic agent?" Professor Birgitte Holst will take you through some potential drug targets and how to use G-protein coupled receptor for treatment of diabetes

WEEK 10
Stem Cell Based Therapy of Diabetes
Module 10 will focus on 'Stem Cell Based Therapy of Diabetes' and the question 'What are the advantages and disadvantages in cell therapy of diabetes?' is raised by Professor Ole Dragsbæk-Madsen.

WEEK 11
Exercise – How Does it Work?
Exercise has many beneficial effects - but how does it actually work? Professor Bente Klarlund will take you through the latest scientific research on how the exercise of skeletal muscles affect our organs and entire body.

WEEK 12
Peer Graded Assignment
Try to summarize all what you have learn watching these modules and have fun with writing a peer-graded assignment. The goal is simply to integrate what you have learned and put this together in a practical solution based manner.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Business Models for Innovative Care for Older People (Coursera) Coursera
University of Copenhagen,Copenhagen Business School

Business Models for Innovative Care for Older People (Coursera)

This course will introduce you to healthcare innovation within the field of healthy living and active aging. By following two specific cases on diabetes and rehabilitation, this interdisciplinary course will provide you with key theories, tools and concepts for analyzing and developing viable innovative solutions for aging populations. The lectures will cover demographic, biological, economic, social and cultural aspects of active aging and healthy living, along with lectures on current innovation theories and methods.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Brain and Space (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

The Brain and Space (Coursera)

This course is about how the brain creates our sense of spatial location from a variety of sensory and motor sources, and how this spatial sense in turn shapes our cognitive abilities. Knowing where things are is effortless. But “under the hood,” your brain must figure out even the simplest of details about the world around you and your position in it.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Chemicals and Health (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Chemicals and Health (Coursera)

This course covers chemicals in our environment and in our bodies and how they impact our health. It addresses policies and practices related to chemicals, particularly related to how they get into our bodies (exposures), what they do when they get there (toxicology), how we measure them (biomonitoring) and their impact on our health. Most examples are drawn from the US.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment (Coursera) Coursera
Indian School of Business - ISB

A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment (Coursera)

What are the determinants of a happy and fulfilling life? This is surely one of life’s biggest questions, and a question that has interested many of our ancestors. Buddha famously gave up his kingdom in search of happiness. Several Greek philosophers (from Aristotle to Epicurus and Plato to Socrates) had their own views on what it takes to be happy. And of course, we all have our own theories about happiness too.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Population Health: Syndemics (Coursera) Coursera
Leiden University

Population Health: Syndemics (Coursera)

Do you wish to contribute to breaking cycles of ill-health in disadvantaged populations? And explore co-occurrence of diseases, such as substance abuse, infectious and chronic disease, and the relation with social factors (disparities)? Are you disappointed in the poor effectiveness of interventions for combined social and medical problems? Then this syndemics course might provide you with some answers.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and Healthcare (Coursera) Coursera
Northwestern University

Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and Healthcare (Coursera)

This course aims to help high school students, recent graduates, and those considering career transitions explore health care career options and learn strategies for entry into the health care workforce and health related fields. There are lots of amazing job opportunities in medicine and healthcare! Join us, as we share the strategies and secrets for getting those jobs.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness (Coursera) Coursera
University of Toronto

The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness (Coursera)

Learn how social factors promote mental health, influence the onset and course of mental illness, and affect how mental illnesses are diagnosed and treated. This course explores how our understanding of mental health and illness has been influenced by social attitudes and social developments in North America and around the world. The course begins by situating our contemporary mental health practices in historical context, then looks at different aspects of mental health, mental illness and mental health services and their connections to what’s going on in our social environment.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Life, Health and Radiation (Coursera) Coursera
The University of Sydney

Life, Health and Radiation (Coursera)

Radiation is all around us - without it we wouldn’t exist. Yet the word has become synonymous with danger, death and disaster. This MOOC will allow the world to see radiation in a new light, to expose its benefits as well as its risks. X-ray radiation, for example, is a scientific and medical discovery that has improved or prolonged billions of lives. Most of us have had an X-ray at some point in our life, at the Dentist, in a hospital or clinic. Yet few people really understand what X-rays are or where they come from.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Traditional herbal medicine in supportive cancer care: From alternative to integrative (Coursera) Coursera
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Traditional herbal medicine in supportive cancer care: From alternative to integrative (Coursera)

Please join us for an exciting and innovative journey, examining one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of the oncology setting: Traditional Herbal Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care. This course is presented with short lectures offering a wide range of issues related to the principles and practice of herbal medicine in cancer care.

Nov 9th 2026
13-24 Weeks