This class is no longer accepting registrations
This 14-week online class addresses increasing health information access and use by highlighting information about the National Library of Medicine’s NCBI Molecular Biology Databases.
The 14-week, 30 credit-hour, self-paced online class reviews basic biology concepts and takes a deep dive into NCBI Molecular Biology Databases. This class is designed both for librarians who offer, or intend to offer, bioinformatics services; and also for librarians who use gene and protein information on a periodic or irregular basis to serve their patrons. Successful participants are invited to join an Alumni Forum which includes discussion and bi-monthly learning opportunities. Expect to spend at least 30 hours working through this class.
Openly available videos and exercises used in this course are available from the class materials page
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
Pre-Work: Genetics Basics
- Gain a functional understanding of molecular biology concepts sufficient to use the NCBI bioinformatics databases
Part 1: Intro to Bioinformatics and the NCBI Nucleotide Database
- Define bioinformatics, describing some research questions that scientists are exploring now using bioinformatics tools and techniques
- Explore the roles and activities of other librarians working in bioinformatics
- Explain how species are organized in the Taxonomy database
- Describe what kinds of information are contained in the Nucleotide database
- Develop a search strategy for common patron questions in the Nucleotide database
Part 2: Gene, Structure, and Protein Databases
- Identify where genetic and protein data comes from
- Describe what kinds of information are contained in the Gene, Structure and Protein databases
- Answer common patron questions in the Gene, Structure and Protein databases
- Find genetic information that is translated to clinical application
Part 3: Challenges, Goals, and the Future of Bioinformatics
- Discuss public policy and ethical implications of bioinformatics data storage, access and use
- Explain one or two major challenges bioinformatics creates, and identify those challenges within your professional life
- List some of the goals of current genomic research and explain some of the latest newsworthy developments
- Direct others to experts and sources of assistance