Genetics, Genomics & Evolution

GENOME 553 – Advanced Genetic Analysis

Explores genetic analysis as a powerful approach for dissecting complex biological processes. Discusses methods for selectively removing, adding, or altering specific proteins, to identify and order genes in a pathway, define protein function, determine tissue and temporal requirements for gene function, and distinguish among competing hypotheses to explain biological phenomena.
Prerequisite: GENOME 371, GENOME 551 or equivalent.
Capacity Limit: 20 – required for the GS first-year students. Remaining slots will be available on first-come, first-served basis.
Offered SPR, 1.5 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in SPR 2026.

GENOME 561 – Molecular Population Genetics and Evolution

Surveys recent literature to gain an understanding of the basic principles of molecular population genetics and evolution as applied to analysis of genome data. Requires some computer analysis of genome data.
Capacity Limit: 20 – required for the GS first-year students. Remaining slots will be available on first-come, first-served basis and fill up fast.
Offered WIN, 1.5 credits, weeks 1-5. Will be offered in WIN 2026.

MCB 536 – Tools for Computational Biology

Introduction to established best practices in computational biology. Learn to organize unstructured data into standard formats, transform data for statistical analyses, and visualize the transformed data. Learn workflows for reproducible research such as version control, project organization, and code documentation. Gain basic experience with Linux command line tools and the Python and R programming languages. Classes will involve hands-on learning through coding exercises, collaborative problem solving, and extensive use of online learning resources.
Instructions: Contact graduateeducation@fredhutch.org for add code.
Offered AUT, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10, every year. Will be offered in AUT 2025.

CONJ 533 – Epigenetics and Epigenomics

Mechanisms of cellular memory mediated through nucleosomes, DNA-binding proteins, DNA and histone covalent modifications, and chromatin dynamics.
Offered AUT, 1.5 credits, weeks 1-5, even years. Will be offered in AUT 2026.

CONJ 537 – Mechanism Of Transcriptional Regulation

A five-week graduate survey course concentrating on biochemical mechanisms of gene transcription. The course will cover a broad range of transcriptional regulation including: Mechanisms of transcriptional initiation; Regulation of transcription by chromatin; Transcriptional regulation, development and diseases in mammals.
Offered AUT, 1.5 credits, weeks 6-10, even years. Will be offered in AUT 2026.

CONJ 557 – Microbial Evolution

Selected topics in microbial evolution including evidence for early life on Earth, molecular mechanisms of bacterial and viral evolution, speciation, adaptive niche differentiation, bioinformatics tools to detect selection, and evolution of the virulence and pandemic spread.
Prerequisite: MICROM 412 or general microbiology background.
Offered AUT and SPR, 2.0 credits, Weeks 1-5. Will be offered in AUT 2025, likely not offered in SPR 2026.

GENOME 551 – Principles of Gene Regulation

Course covers fundamentals of gene regulation in eukaryotes including principles of cis and trans regulation of gene expression; DNA and RNA binding proteins; role of chromatin structure in gene expression; epigenetic regulatory mechanisms; RNA-based regulatory mechanisms; and post-transcriptional regulation. The course centers on reading and discussion of landmark primary literature in the aforementioned areas.
Capacity Limit: 19 – required for the GS first-year students. Remaining slots will be available on first-come, first-served basis.
Offered WIN, 1.5 credits, weeks 6-10. Will be offered in WIN 2026.

GENOME 552 – Technologies For Genome Analysis

Discussion of current and newly-emerging technologies in genome analysis with regard to applications in biology and medicine and to potential advantages and limitations.
Prerequisite: Contact course instructor and state your interest (prior genetics coursework required).
Capacity Limit: 18 – required for the GS first-year students. Remaining slots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Offered AUT, 1.5 credits, weeks 6-10. Will be offered in AUT 2025.

GENOME 559 – Introduction To Statistical And Computational Genomics

Rudiments of statistical and computational genomics. Emphasis on basic probability and statistics, introduction to computer programming, and relevant web databases. This course is intended to introduce students with non-computer science backgrounds to the major concepts of programming and statistics.
Prerequisite: Substantial background in molecular and cellular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or related disciplines.
Capacity Limit: 20. Only taken by GS first-year students if they have no prior programming experience.
Offered WIN, 3.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in WIN 2026.

GENOME 562 – Population Genetics

Mathematical and experimental approaches to the genetics of natural populations, especially as they relate to evolution. Emphasis on theoretical population genetics.
Capacity Limit: 20. Not required for GS students, but popular with Bio students.
Offered WIN, 4.0 credits, weeks 1-10, odd years. Will be offered in WIN 2027.

GENOME 565 – Advanced Human Genetics

The goal of the course is to provide students with knowledge and tools most useful for successful research in human genomics. Components of the course are: gene discovery and molecular function; genomic architecture; cancer genetics; and human diversity and evolution. The course meets winter quarter, with three lectures per week by the instructors and weekly section meetings. Multiple problem sets are based on real data.
Prerequisite: College-level genetics course (GENOME 361 or 371); for genetics courses taken elsewhere, please ask the instructors. The class typically includes about 60 students, including both undergraduate and graduate students.
Capacity Limit: 20
Offered WIN, 4.0 credits, weeks 1-10. Will be offered in WIN 2027.

GENOME 569 – Bioinformatics Workflows for High-Throughput Sequencing Experiments

Programming skills and software tools for building automated bioinformatics pipelines and computational biology analyses. Emphasis on UNIX tools and R libraries for distilling raw sequencing data into interpretable results. For students familiar with UNIX and with some programming experience in Python, R, or C/C++.
Capacity Limit: 15. Not required of GS students but gets considerable interest.
Offered SPR, 1.5 credits, weeks 1-5. Not currently offered.