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Genomics

Explores genomes across the tree of life, using the tools of bioinformatics. Topics include viruses; bacteria and archaea; protozoa (e.g. Plasmodium); plants (with a focus on Arabidopsis and rice); the fungi; the metazoans (Drosophila, C. elegans, the rodents, the primates, and human). Each lecture highlights features of the relevant genome(s), key websites and bioinformatics tools, the phylogenetic context in which to understand the significance of the organism, and genomics-based approaches to human disease. Weekly computer labs introduce students to genomics software available on the internet, including tools for genome annotation, comparison, and analysis.