CSE 701: Seminar in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology: The Genomic Revolution Today and Tomorrow
This page refers to the Spring 2012 offering of CSE 701 only. The information on this page does not necessarily apply to every offering of CSE 701.
Spring 2012
13928
The Genomic Revolution Today and Tomorrow
In this seminar we will consider the impact of the genomics revolution on how humankind perceives itself today and how this might change in the future. We will describe how this revolution is deconstructing the human-centered view of life, why it has been called the Copernican Revolution in Biology and how it involves an extensive Computer Science component. There are no pre-requisites for the course (besides basic interest in the topic). The first lectures will provide the basic background with which a better understanding of the topics will be achieved. Each student will choose one paper or topic to study and will write a short summary. A small number of selected students will present their papers in class. Topics may include: • Ethical issues on genomic research such as: Who owns our genes? Is there an Intelligence Gene? • Synthetic Biology, creating life with computers as parents. Synthia, the first computer generated synthetic organism. Building a minimal genome. BioTerrorism • Genetic Testing. Prenatal diagnosis. Genetic discrimination, Legal genomic issues. Eugenics • Determinism (is it all written in the genome?) and Reductionism (discovering all the component parts sufficient to understand the whole?) • Creation vs Evolution and the Flying Spaghetti Monster • Pharmacogenomics, Personal Genomics, Recreational genomics • Forensic Genomics and Jurassic Park • Genetic Therapies, Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Foods • Selective Breeding and designer babies • DNA computing: solving NP-complete problems in a test tube • Genetic Algorithms • Cloning, stem cells and harvesting organs. From farm animals to pets to humans?
None presently available.
Requisites: None. Open to grad students from all departments and to undergrad seniors (upon approval)
Ph.D.: This course does not fulfill core area or core course requirements.
M.S.: This course does not fulfill core area or core course requirements.
