Analyzing Genomic Data: Keeping the Patient in Mind

Semester: Spring
|
Year offered: 2025

Course description

Every day, patients are tested for disease-causing genetic variants or treated with anti-cancer medications based on the identification of actionable mutations. The foundation for much of this clinical genomic testing comes from the basic science laboratory. As researchers, it is important to keep in mind the clinical relevance of our work and how our findings may ultimately help diagnose and treat patients. 

This introductory nano-course will encourage participants to create links between foundational and clinical science and potentially explore how the genomic data from their own research could benefit patients. In In this 6-hour long nano-course (over 2 days) participants will work together in small groups to determine the clinical impact of genomic data utilizing publicly available online tools such as CIVIC, OncoKB, COSMIC, ClinGen, PolyPhen and gnomAD. During the session, participants will also learn about the transition from a research background to possible clinical careers.

Please note, this course is meant to allow familiarization with these online tools with a clinical perspective and is not a course on advanced genomic data analysis.

 

Course objectives 

  • Determine the factors that are involved in the decision to perform clinical genomic testing.

  • Identify clinical significance of a genetic variant in relation to cancer risk and treatment.

  • Effectively search for research trials related to genomic data.

  • Get introduced to clinically-oriented careers for Ph.D. level scientists such as the Directors of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics clinical laboratories. 

 

Session dates, times, and location

Day 1:  May 20th, 2025, 9 am – noon

Day 2:  May 21st, 2025, 9 am – noon

Armenise Modell 100A Rosen Lecture Hall

 

Milestone credit 

In order to receive a Milestone, students must:

  • Attended both sessions for the entire time.

  • Complete 2 in-class assignment (there is no additional homework).

  • Complete a course evaluation final survey.

More information about Milestone Credit can be found here.

 

Course Team

Course directors/instructors

Cynthia Morton, PhD

Director of Cytogenetics, Pathology Brigham and Women’s Hospital

cmorton@bwh.harvard.edu

Richard Haspel, MD, PhD

Vice Chair for Education, Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Chair, TRIG Working Group

rhaspel@bidmc.harvard.edu

Curriculum Fellow

Lorenzo Gesuita, PhD

Lecturer on Genetics

Harvard Genetics Department

Lorenzo_Gesuita@hms.harvard.edu

 

Enrollment limit 

A maximum of 20 students will be allowed. Priority will be given to Harvard graduate students taking the course for credit. Harvard Postdocs can register too, and they will be granted access to the course as space allows.

 

Registration & deadline

Please register using this link by Monday, May 12, 2025

https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3eG9AsZrEPMvEjk

 

See also: