The landmark sequencing of the human genome in 2003 heralded a new era in biomedical research. A key result has been the development of genomics-based tools to diagnose diseases, predict disease onset or recurrence, tailor treatment options and assess treatment response. However, translating these discoveries into actionable diagnostics and therapies remains a substantial challenge.

This course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of genome science technologies, clinical applications and policy and ethical issues related to the conduct of genome sciences research and clinical implementation. The multidisciplinary course will offer students a 360-degree view of genome sciences from the perspectives of biology, computational biology, statistics, public policy and medicine. Students will gain firsthand experience in working with actual genome datasets to become familiar with data analysis for variant interpretation.

Prerequisite: Biology 201L or 203L