Cancer Genomics and Precision Oncology: The Genetic Basis of Cancer and Its Treatment
- HMX
Group Enrollment Option A program that is a popular choice for organizations and institutions to purchase in bulk.
Understand the links between genetics and cancer, and how genomics knowledge is advancing precision cancer treatments.
- Online; Instructor-Paced
Lessons are released weekly and remain available until the course ends.
Available Start Dates
$1,025
Multi-course bundle pricing is also available across enrollment periods.
Certificate
Earn a Certificate of Completion upon successfully completing all coursework.
10 Weeks, 1-2 Hours/Week
Most people can expect to spend around 15–20 hours total, but this depends on your baseline knowledge and how carefully you take notes.
- Online; Instructor-Paced
Lessons are released weekly and remain available until the course ends.
Available Start Dates
$1,025
Multi-course bundle pricing is also available across enrollment periods.
Certificate
Earn a Certificate of Completion upon successfully completing all coursework.
10 Weeks, 1-2 Hours/Week
Most people can expect to spend around 15–20 hours total, but this depends on your baseline knowledge and how carefully you take notes.
On This Page
Overview
Growing knowledge of human genetics is changing the way physicians and researchers approach diagnosis of cancer risk as well as treatment of various types of cancer. Understanding the vital role that genetic information has begun to play in the field of oncology is essential for anyone whose work intersects with cancer.
Build your understanding of the principles of the genetic basis of cancer and its treatment with this advanced HMX course. During this online course, you will examine the types of inherited and somatic genetic variants that can accumulate in cells over the course of our lifetime. Discover a step-by-step explanation of the important cell signaling pathways that can lead to oncogenesis, highlighting key molecular players that are often targets for new cancer therapeutics. You will also gain an in-depth view of the cutting-edge tumor sequencing approaches used in oncology to inform more effective treatment strategies and propel the development of precision therapeutics and addresses the treatment challenges posed by tumor drug resistance.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the links between genetics and cancer
- Get an inside look at tumor sequencing approaches and analysis
- Learn how genomics knowledge is advancing precision cancer treatments
Who Should Participate
Clinicians; biomedical researchers; health care professionals whose work intersects with cancer research and treatment – including those working in R&D, product management and strategy, sales, and marketing
Overview
Growing knowledge of human genetics is changing the way physicians and researchers approach diagnosis of cancer risk as well as treatment of various types of cancer. Understanding the vital role that genetic information has begun to play in the field of oncology is essential for anyone whose work intersects with cancer.
Build your understanding of the principles of the genetic basis of cancer and its treatment with this advanced HMX course. During this online course, you will examine the types of inherited and somatic genetic variants that can accumulate in cells over the course of our lifetime. Discover a step-by-step explanation of the important cell signaling pathways that can lead to oncogenesis, highlighting key molecular players that are often targets for new cancer therapeutics. You will also gain an in-depth view of the cutting-edge tumor sequencing approaches used in oncology to inform more effective treatment strategies and propel the development of precision therapeutics and addresses the treatment challenges posed by tumor drug resistance.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the links between genetics and cancer
- Get an inside look at tumor sequencing approaches and analysis
- Learn how genomics knowledge is advancing precision cancer treatments
Who Should Participate
Clinicians; biomedical researchers; health care professionals whose work intersects with cancer research and treatment – including those working in R&D, product management and strategy, sales, and marketing
Questions?
Have questions about HMX courses, enrollment, or learning options? Contact our team by email—we’re happy to assist.
About the Course
HMX online courses bring complex material to life through engaging biomedical visualizations, clinical applications, and true-to-life scenarios paired with lectures from Harvard Medical School faculty and leading experts.
Course Format
Most people can expect to spend around 15–20 hours total, but this depends on your baseline knowledge, how carefully you take notes, and how seriously you take the assessments. Lessons from the courses are released toward the beginning of the course session and remain available until the courses end, so you can work at your own pace. There is a final exam at the end of each course that can be taken at any time during the multi-week final exam period. The flexible course format makes this an ideal choice for working professionals.
Course Experience
HMX courses teach complex concepts by emphasizing visual engagement and interactivity. Throughout the course, interactive lessons and frequent assessments reinforce true understanding of essential scientific principles. This approach, along with best practices in biomedical visualization, helps you grasp challenging material more quickly as well as retain it longer so you are ready to apply it with confidence in real-world contexts.
Course features include:
- True-to-life scenarios
- Dynamic animations
- Concept videos
- Interactive components
- Clinical applications
- Quiz questions and assessments
- Notetaking guides
Who Should Enroll
This advanced course is appropriate for clinicians and health care professionals; biomedical researchers; and professionals in health care and related fields whose work intersects with cancer research and treatment – including those working in R&D, product management, strategy, sales, marketing, and other roles.
Group Enrollments
HMX courses are ideal for organizations looking to train teams or larger groups. Group pricing is available, making it a cost-effective investment in team development.
Faculty
HMX courses are led by Harvard Medical School faculty, working in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of experts in biomedical visualization, assessment, and the science of learning to create a unique learning experience that will stay with you.
- Lecturer in Genetics, Harvard Medical School (former)
Marios Giannakis
MD, PhD
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
- Medical Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Robert Green
MD, MPH
- Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
- Associate Physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Geneticist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Director, Genomes2People Research Program, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Carrie Blout Zawatsky
MS, CGC
- Genetic Counselor, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
George Demetri, MD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Medical Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
William Hahn, MD, PhD, William Rosenberg Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Medical Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
William Kaelin, MD, Sidney Farber Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine
Tali Mazor, PhD, Computational Biologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Matthew Meyerson, MD, PhD, Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Medical Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Jonathan Nowak, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School / Molecular Pathologist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Huma Rana, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School / Medical Geneticist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Alice Shaw, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School / Thoracic Oncologist, Massachusetts General Hospital
Lynette Sholl, MD, Associate Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School / Pathologist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Course Quiz
Are you ready for an advanced course? We recommend knowledge of basic chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as knowledge of key genetics concepts. Gauge your knowledge of genetics by taking this short quiz.
From Our Learners
Hear from HMX students as they share their experiences learning online with Harvard Medical School.
“[This course] provides the perfect connection between the molecular basis of cancer and its clinical relevance in our daily practice.”
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