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Foundations of Genetic Testing
1,273 students
Foundations of Genetic Testing
Understand genes, NGS, test selection & variant types—designed for physicians new to genetic testing.
Created by3billion Inc.
Last updated 6/2025
English
What you'll learn
- Explain fundamental genetic concepts such as genes, DNA structure, and patterns of inheritance
- Identify different types of genetic tests
- Describe the indications and appropriate selection criteria for genetic testing in clinical practice
- Understand the workflow of common NGS technologies
- Classify basic types of genetic variants
- Interpret simplified genetic test reports
- Use foundational genetic terminology confidently
Explore related topics
Course content
7 sections • 21 lectures • 1h 15m total length
Requirements
- No prior knowledge or experience in genetics or molecular biology is required
- An interest in learning about genetic testing and its applications
- A basic understanding of high school-level biology is helpful but not mandatory. You will learn everything you need to know.
Description
Are you a physician who is starting to encounter genetic testing in clinical decision-making? Whether you're in pediatrics, neurology, internal medicine, or general practice, understanding the basics of medical genetics is becoming increasingly important—especially with the rise of rare disease diagnoses and next-generation sequencing (NGS) in modern medicine.
This beginner-level course, "Foundations of Genetic Testing", is designed specifically for physicians and healthcare professionals who are new to the world of genetic testing. Over the 7 course, we’ll walk you through the essential concepts of human genetics and how they connect to patient care.
You’ll start with the fundamentals—what genes are, how inheritance works, and why DNA variations matter in clinical settings. From there, we explore the different types of genetic tests (cytogenetic vs. molecular), how to select the right test for the right patient, and the basics of NGS technology, including targeted panels, whole exome sequencing (WES), and whole genome sequencing (WGS).
We also introduce you to the key variant types—such as SNVs and CNVs—and offer an entry-level understanding of how to interpret genetic test results. Each topic is broken down into short, practical lessons, designed with busy clinicians in mind. Real-world examples, simplified analogies, and step-by-step explanations make the content accessible, even if you’ve never studied genetics before.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
Understand basic genetic terminology and concepts relevant to clinical practice
Identify different types of genetic tests and their appropriate use cases
Recognize the core components of NGS and when to consider WES/WGS
Comprehend basic types of genetic variants and their potential clinical implications
Begin interpreting simple genetic test reports with greater clarity
Whether you're looking to improve communication with genetic counselors, support your patients through rare disease journeys, or simply stay updated with genomic medicine trends, this course will provide a solid starting point.
Join us and take your first step toward integrating genetics into your everyday clinical decision-making.
Who this course is for:
- Physicians and healthcare professionals who are new to genetic testing and want to build a solid foundation before incorporating it into patient care
- General practitioners, pediatricians, and specialists likely to encounter rare disease cases requiring genetic evaluation
- Medical residents and fellows interested in expanding their understanding of genetics in clinical settings
- Clinicians seeking a practical introduction to the types of genetic tests, basic variant interpretation, and how to select appropriate tests for patients
- Healthcare providers aiming to master essential genetic terminology
- Anyone involved in patient care who wishes to understand genetic test results to better support diagnosis and management of rare diseases