Ronit Yarden and Jan LaRocque (both from Human Science) collaborated with Yuriy Gusev (Innovation Center for Biomedical Informatics) to provide undergraduates in the Genome Instability and Human Disease course the opportunity to map and visualize genomic data and pathways. Using the Pathway Studio software package, which is suited for Systems Biology research and uses the continuous flow of publicly available genetic and genomic information, students were able to place genomic data in the context of multiple biological processes and pathways (See Figure 2). According to post-course survey data, students
developed a comprehensive understanding of gene and protein networks and their connections to multiple disease conditions and cellular processes.
Learn more at: ITEL.GEORGETOWN.EDU/PROJECTS/YARDEN-LAROCQUE-GUSEV/
Figure 2: Using the Pathway Studio software, students are able to create visualizations such as the above depiction of DNA repair and protein trafficking genes.
“I was able to gain a much more comprehensive picture of the field and its application to human disease.” — Student in Yarden & LaRocque’s course
2015 ITEL REPORT
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