Translating Basic Research into Research for Humans (Coursera)

Translating Basic Research into Research for Humans (Coursera)

The first phase of translational research — known as “T1” — is the process of moving foundational scientific discoveries into possible approaches for real-world health applications. This course focuses on innovations in basic science discovery, including drug discovery and repurposing and animal studies, that lead to new methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in highly controlled settings.

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

You’ll also discuss the role of the federal government to support and regulate translational research as it moves from basic science to human interventions.
This is the second course of five in the “Translational Science” series.
Course 2 of 5 in the Translational Science Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Welcome to Week 1 of Translating Basic Research into Research for Humans. This week you will learn how to 1) identify key differences between basic science research and clinical research, and 2) describe the role of animals in the research process.

WEEK 2
Welcome to Week 2 of Translating Basic Research into Research for Humans. This week you will learn how to 1) describe potential career paths for basic science researchers, 2) identify team roles for research conducted in the T1 stage of translational science, and 3) describe the types of career development awards available for translational research education.

WEEK 3
Welcome to Week 3 of Translating Basic Research into Research for Humans. This week you will learn how to 1) explain the process of translating the outcomes of basic science research into improvements in human health, and 2) explain how T1 research is associated with T2 and T3/T4 research.

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

Related Courses

Pre-formulation (Coursera) Coursera
Novartis

Pre-formulation (Coursera)

In this course we will focus on how active compounds are developed into a formulation suitable for dosing in animal studies and early human clinical trials.  Factors such as the route of administration, enhancing the solubility of the drug substance, the crystalline form of the drug substance, drug substance vs. drug product, storage requirements, and how special requirements of the patient population play a role in the design of an ideal formulation will be covered. 

Sep 21st 2026
3 Weeks
Biology Everywhere Foundations (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Biology Everywhere Foundations (Coursera)

In this course, we will explore the nature of science and biology. We will discuss what the “biology everywhere” philosophy means and the history of the “biology everywhere” project. We will also discuss what science (and biology) are as a discipline of inquiry and how chemistry is foundational to understanding biology.

Sep 21st 2026
4 Weeks
Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions (Coursera) Coursera
Imperial College London

Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions (Coursera)

This course focuses on data, evaluation methods and the economic evaluation of digital health interventions. This module focuses on key data considerations for digital health including data management, data visualisation and methods for evaluating digital health interventions. The key focus is on experimental and quasi-experimental design approaches that can be applied to evaluating digital health interventions and key considerations for the economic evaluation of digital health interventions.

Sep 28th 2026
4 Weeks
Capstone Project: Advanced AI for Drug Discovery (Coursera) Coursera
LearnQuest

Capstone Project: Advanced AI for Drug Discovery (Coursera)

In this capstone project course, we'll compare genome sequences of COVID-19 mutations to identify potential areas a drug therapy can look to target. The first step in drug discovery involves identifying target subsequences of theirs genome to target. We'll start by comparing the genomes of virus mutations to look for similarities. Then, we'll perform PCA to cut down our number of dimensions and identify the most common features.

Sep 21st 2026
3 Weeks
Preclinical Safety (Coursera) Coursera
Novartis

Preclinical Safety (Coursera)

Patient safety is of paramount importance for any drug discovery program.  This course looks at some of the lessons learned which have influenced how promising molecules are currently evaluated for safety risks.  In vitro and in vivo toxicology and safety studies are discussed, why they are performed, and how the data they provide guide a safety risk assessment, including determining a therapeutic index or safety window for a drug. 

Sep 21st 2026
3 Weeks
Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050 (Coursera) Coursera
University of Western Australia

Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050 (Coursera)

The Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050 Course is based on a clear vision: imagine best practice farming for 2050, start to implement these strategies now, all the while making sure it will still be profitable. At UWA we're doing just that with the Future Farm 2050 Project, set on a mixed-enterprise farm in Western Australia and we want you to learn how it can be done in your part of the world.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Researcher Management and Leadership Training (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Researcher Management and Leadership Training (Coursera)

This course is for early career researchers and mentors who believe that modern scientific careers require management skills and want to be research leaders. This curriculum gives you skills to effectively implement funded projects, thereby enhancing your career success. Research leaders take on a number of new roles, rights, and responsibilities--as scientific leaders, financial administrators, managers, and mentors. In this course, we explain how to optimize the people, teams, projects, and finances for which you are responsible.

Sep 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows (Coursera) Coursera
Tel Aviv University

Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows (Coursera)

For centuries we have collectively marveled at plant diversity and form—from Charles Darwin’s early fascination with stems and flowers to Seymour Krelborn’s distorted doting in Little Shop of Horrors. This course intends to present an intriguing and scientifically valid look at how plants themselves experience the world—from the colors they see to the sensations they feel. Highlighting the latest research in genetics and more, we will delve into the inner lives of plants and draw parallels with the human senses to reveal that we have much more in common with sunflowers and oak trees than we may realize.

Sep 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Classical papers in molecular genetics (Coursera) Coursera
University of Geneva

Classical papers in molecular genetics (Coursera)

You have all heard about the DNA double helix and genes. Many of you know that mutations occur randomly, that the DNA sequence is read by successive groups of three bases (the codons), that many genes encode enzymes, and that gene expression can be regulated. These concepts were proposed on the basis of astute genetic experiments, as well as often on biochemical results. The original articles were these concepts appeared are however not frequently part of the normal curriculum of biologists, biochemists and medical students.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks