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