Finding Hidden Messages in DNA (Bioinformatics I)

You can start here:

https://www.coursera.org/learn/dna-analysis

7 part interactive series in python from UCSD.

I'm taking Coursera's bioinformatics course but I find it difficult, probably due to weak programming skills. Is there any other sources of learning with a more "step-by-step approach"?

As stated in the title, I'm currently enrolled in this course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/dna-analysis/home/welcome

I really like the concepts which are taught, however I find it hard to follow the pseudo code and make up my own solutions. This is probably because of my weak programming skills. (Intermediate PHP and basic Python)

Is there any place where I can learn bioinformatics where they show clear solutions with Python?

As you are just starting maybe online course would be helpful? Something like Finding Hidden Messages in DNA. As you will learn a little bit and know about subject more it will become easier to choose a project yourself.

Coursera has a bioinformatics specialization. I took the first class in the series (https://www.coursera.org/learn/dna-analysis) and thought it was pretty interesting.

I think I found it. It seems to be this course on coursera:

Finding Hidden Messages in DNA (Bioinformatics I)

One of the best Bioinformatics MOOC changes platform and field? ( now data science)

I am talking about the course Finding Hidden Messages in DNA (Bioinformatics I). Created by Pavel Pevzner and Phillip Compeau and hosted on coursera. Which was elected in 2016 by Class Central as one of the Top 50 MOOCs of All Time.

Now a new MOOC entitled Introduction to Genomic Data Science showed up on edx, same teachers, apparently the same topics but a different name. It starts on October 1st.

Anyone knows what happened here? I think is nearly impossible that these two platforms will “share” this course. So whats the story? Are the teachers leaving coursera? I already did part of the specialization there, but now I want to see whats going on with this changes.

The name change is funny tho, it seems like "bioinformatics" is no longer trending and "data science" is the new hot topic. I just care about the content generated by this authors, which is pretty good. If you do not know the bioinformatics specialization on coursera go check it out, I personally think it is the best available.

Also just starting out in the field but I'll share what I've been trying to do.

1. The biostar handbook has been a useful resource to get an overview of the tools used in bioinformatics. https://www.biostarhandbook.com After going through it, you should have a general idea of what tools and resources to go to for typical bioinformatics tasks like genome assembly and analysis.
   If you want to learn how to write bioinformatics programs, this course series looks promising, https://www.coursera.org/learn/dna-analysis. I did the first few weeks and its much more programming heavy than going through biostar which is more about learning how to use unix, run tools, and write the occasional script to string things together.

2. I'm asking myself the same question haha. I don't think you need an extra degree to get a good job (pays well, good work life balance, interesting work) but a PhD might be necessary if you eventually want to move up the ladder into director level positions.

3. I've been feeling a bit aimless too but I think it helps to define what you're looking for. Is it more important for you to get paid well or work on something interesting? Good work-life balance? Work on something meaningful? It'll help narrow down what the ideal role is for you.
   If your main priority is to find a "good" job as I defined earlier, it may be worth looking more into the programming side of things as software engineering companies pay much better and generally treat employees pretty well. You may not be using your biology background as much but there are plenty of companies that create software in the biology domain like Benchling which u/coffee_and_science mentioned. 10x genomics, BillionToOne, and Invitae are some others off the top of my head.
   It seems to me like the industry is still growing (relatively unaffected by the pandemic) so there are definitely roles out there that are a good match for what you're looking for!

Are you looking for coding?
You have a ton of great info at this link:
https://github.com/ossu/bioinformatics
Namely, the following courses should tackle the analysis of the DNA (and sequencing - second link):
https://www.coursera.org/learn/dna-analysis
https://www.coursera.org/learn/genome-sequencing
https://www.coursera.org/learn/comparing-genomes