Whole Genome Sequencing: Decoding the Language of Life and Health (FutureLearn)

Learn how genome sequencing works

This course will take you behind the scenes to explore this emerging technology and its promises to revolutionise healthcare around the world. You will be given a unique insight into modern genetics laboratories and state of the art sequencing facilities, led by clinical scientists who are using whole genome sequencing to shape decisions about patient care and appropriate treatments.

You will be introduced to the fundamental basics of DNA and genetic variation, before exploring the process of whole genome sequencing and the ways in which the resultant data can be analysed and used to benefit patients. Leading scientists and genomics experts will explore the potential and limitations of this new technology, and the ethical questions that arise when we can ‘read a person’s genome’.
Explore how whole genome sequencing affects healthcare

Throughout the course you will be introduced to a range of case studies and scenarios where whole genome sequencing is having a profound impact on healthcare and life decisions. You will be introduced to England’s pioneering 100,000 Genomes Project and its potential impact on how we understand and care for patients with rare diseases and cancer. You will also discover how genomics is being used in epidemiology and helping us tackle infectious diseases.

What topics will you cover?

- The composition, structure and function of a genome.

- The process and the importance of DNA replication.

- Genomic variation and its connections with health and disease.

- The evolution of genome sequencing.

- The advent and the possibilities of next generation sequencing.

- The preparation and processing of DNA samples in whole genome sequencing.

- The interpretation of genomic information for clinicians and patients.

- The limitations and challenges faced by current sequencing technologies.

- Additional, incidental and secondary findings from whole genome sequencing.

- The ownership, storing and sharing of genomic data.

- The impact of whole genome sequencing on healthcare in the future.

What will you achieve?

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

- Describe the fundamentals of genomics: what is DNA, what is a genome and how do they influence our health?

- Describe how whole genome sequencing works: its principles, processes, limitations and possibilities.

- Describe a range of concrete cases and scenarios where whole genome sequencing is having a profound impact on healthcare.

- Engage in the debate surrounding the future of whole genome sequencing.

- Describe the scope of the UK government’s 100,000 Genomes Project and its potential impact on how we understand and care for patients with rare diseases, cancer and infectious diseases.

Who is the course for?

The course has been designed for healthcare professionals and science/medical students who have limited or no understanding of the who genome sequencing process and its many varied uses. Non-specialists who want to learn more about sequencing and genomic medicine are also very welcome.

You don’t need an in-depth knowledge of genetics, as this course will provide a recap on the basics. The course is designed in such a way that you can move as quickly or slowly as you wish; so, while some scientific knowledge will be beneficial, the course is open to anyone who wants to learn about whole genome sequencing and its impact in healthcare.

If you’re a healthcare professional, you may find it useful to upgrade this course to support your continuing professional development (CPD). By upgrading, you’ll be able to take this course at your own pace and revisit the material at any time in future. Once you complete the course, you’ll receive a Certificate of Achievement as evidence of your CPD. This includes details of what you learnt and the number of learning hours required.