Please help me increase my knowledge of genomics from 0% to maybe 60%!

May 7, 2013 3:10 PM

I just got offered a job that starts later in the year where I will need to have a working knowledge of genomics, but not necessarily a specialist level. I will need to be able to discuss it with people that ARE the specialists, but not actually do the work itself. I have absolutely no grounding in genomics at all. Can you suggest a progressively more scientific path to enlightenment? Like from 1) a Romance Novel introducing genomics to 2)"Genomics for Dummies" to 3) maybe "Practical Uses of Genomics"? Anything will help at the moment!!!
posted by lil' ears to Education (9 answers total)

What level of scientific knowledge do you have? I would suggest very different things for someone with a PhD in biology, a master's in physics, a bachelor's in nursing, or someone with no scientific/biological/medical expertise whatsoever.
posted by grouse at 3:16 PM on May 7, 2013

"Genomics" is a really broad term, can you be more specific? Because I have a PhD in systems biology and I'm not even sure what you're looking for
posted by shelleycat at 3:17 PM on May 7, 2013

But otherwise, undergrad text books are generally pretty good for giving a grounding in a field to build on. If you don't already have that level of expertise that's a good place to start. But which one to focus on will depend on what you mean by 'genomics' and what, as grouse has mentioned, by you already know.
posted by shelleycat at 3:19 PM on May 7, 2013

Best answer: 1) Crash Course Biology, #9-#15

2) Textbook, e.g. - Biology

3) Need to know the domain in which the uses will be practiced.
posted by maulik at 3:23 PM on May 7, 2013

Ask the people who hired you. Seriously. "What can I be reading now that will keep me current in the field?"
posted by vitabellosi at 3:24 PM on May 7, 2013

Public libraries sometimes have access to academic journals, and academic libraries may be able to give you access if you come in person. Google Scholar is another decent bet. I'd start by trying to read articles closely related to / written by the specialists you'll work with. Look up everything you don't understand - online resources should get you through most of it. That should point you pretty quickly to gaps in your knowledge / what you need to know.

If even that's too hard, start with a current genetics textbook for the underlying basics.
posted by momus_window at 3:52 PM on May 7, 2013

Best answer: The cartoon guide to genetics by larry gonick would probably help you as a start.
posted by singingfish at 4:00 PM on May 7, 2013 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Sorry, I think I was so broad since I do not actually know what I will be doing! The PI will be giving me a list, but I am trying to be proactive.

It has been awhile since college bio (1994??), so I think the Crash Course Biology suggestion of maulik would be great and I love the cartoon guide idea by singing fish...perfect for an intro for dummies!
posted by lil' ears at 4:18 PM on May 7, 2013

Well, there's Rosalind if you can program, and don't mind a spot of math.
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:49 AM on May 8, 2013