Computer scientists and molecular biologists have transformed the nature of biology research in the last two decades, moving the lab from in vitro to online. Stanford University's Professor Douglas Brutlag has been one of the forces behind those changes since they began. "In 1976 I opened my first e-mail account-I had a community of 25 people and I thought that was a lot," says Brutlag. "We generated the community to share data."

This "community" grew exponentially, and Brutlag and his colleagues ultimately developed databases and accompanying software tools that are crucial to genomics and bioinformatics research today. "When we took over GenBank as part of BIONET in 1987, the database had 12 million base pairs and was two years behind," says Brutlag. "By 1992 we had over 100 million pairs, with data online within 24 hours of publication."

From the Lab to the Classroom: Leveraging Learning Opportunities

Shared data is the backbone for breakthrough research in genomics, proteomics and other computational biology today. Scientists in biology and in bioinformatics must understand how to access and analyze the data that is available, and must remain current in their skills and knowledge throughout their careers.

No one understands this more than Brutlag. He believes that online learning is the educational solution. "For most technical courses, where all the methods and databases are web-based, it's the most natural way to learn," says Brutlag. "I want to use the Internet to do the same for my teaching, to leverage what I do and reach more students. This is so important in a growing field like bioinformatics. With the Internet I can teach anywhere. It's easier for me and easier for the students to learn this course."

He also points out that online learning offers unique opportunities for bioinformatics professionals who need lifelong learning to grow in their work. "The most important thing we teach our students is how to learn and how to continue to learn throughout their lives. Having Internet resources allows lifelong learning; it's a natural connection."

His comfort with and enthusiasm for asynchronous, online learning are clear in Computational Molecular Biology (BIOC 218). In the Winter quarter, Brutlag teaches the survey course on campus and it is delivered via live broadcast and online through the Stanford Center for Professional Development. In the Autumn and Spring quarters, it is only offered online. Students from Boston to Paris and Tokyo repeatedly give Brutlag and the course top ratings. Why?

Online Course Success: Personal Involvement, Hands-On Learning

Brutlag is involved with his students and with his TAs, whether or not he's teaching. He adheres to a schedule of student contact and remains available for phone calls. "When I'm not teaching live, I tend to have fewer students and I interact with them at least weekly on the Internet," Brutlag says. Then he adds, "Sometimes I may know the students even better when I don't teach the course!"

Brutalg carefully chooses his TAs, thoroughly preparing them to work with his students. "I require the TAs to have taken my course. I must know them very well before I allow them to TA for me." Yueyi Liu, a Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Informatics, adds, "Doug gives us sample homework assignments, and we go through every assignment he gives, to know what to expect. He also has samples of outstanding work for final projects, so we'll understand what his standards are."

He does not, however, transfer all responsibilities to the TAs. X. Shirley Liu, a recent Ph.D. graduate, says, "Doug connects with each student individually before they select a final project, no matter where he is. I was a TA when he was in Paris in 2000, and even then, Doug still had every student e-mail him for project approval."

The curriculum builds on using the tools taught in the lecture, culminating in a final project using all the tools learned in class to analyze a protein or gene. "I teach by example, doing a sample analysis in class. Then every student can do homework on a different gene or protein-conducting their own analyses after seeing my examples."

Owen McGettrick, a Bioinformatics Consultant, sums up the online experience. "You watch the course with the same tools you need to use. It's a blending of study hall and lecture hall."

Computational Molecular Biology (BIOC 218) may be taken individually or as a contributor to the Certificate Program in Bioinformatics, the new Certificate Program in Computational Genomics, or to the new Professional Master's Degree in Biomedical Informatics. Visit and bookmark SCPD's Biosciences and Bioengineering Webpage for more opportunities in these areas.