Experimental Methods in Systems Biology

Systems biology transforms our understanding of life by treating cells as integrated networks rather than isolated parts. To build accurate models of these networks, you must first understand the experimental methods used to capture high-quality biological data from across the molecular landscape. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the technologies that drive modern biological research, enabling you to interpret experimental results and understand how data is generated for computational analysis. What you'll learn: - Understand the principles of RNA sequencing to measure gene expression across the entire genome - Learn how mass spectrometry-based proteomics identifies and quantifies the protein landscape of a cell - Explore flow and mass cytometry techniques for analyzing individual cells within a population - Examine live-cell imaging methods to track dynamic biological processes as they happen - Apply modern concepts of single-cell analysis to resolve cellular heterogeneity - Understand the emerging role of spatial transcriptomics in mapping gene expression within tissue architecture The course begins with foundational concepts of experimental design and measurement before moving into specific high-throughput technologies. You will progress through written explanations of each method, learning how they are applied to solve biological problems. This course is designed for beginners in the life sciences, bioengineering, or data science, and no prior laboratory experience is required. Start building your foundation in experimental systems biology through these essential written modules.