Diabetes - a Global Challenge (Coursera)

Diabetes - a Global Challenge (Coursera)

Diabetes and obesity are growing health problems in rich and poor countries alike. With this course you will get updated on cutting-edge diabetes and obesity research including biological, genetic and clinical aspects as well as prevention and epidemiology of diabetes and obesity. All lectures are provided by high-profile scientists from one the world's leading universities in diabetes research.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Introduction and epidemiology of diabetes
We are delighted to be able to welcome you to Diabetes – a Global Challenge. In module 1, we will focus on the epidemiology of diabetes and obesity which we lead us to this week discussion topic: "What the greatest diabetes challenges of our time might be in your opinion?" You can either post your opinion as text or as a link to a short video statement.

WEEK 2
Obesity and Prevention of Diabetes
We will start module 2 together by discussing physical activity, its influence on obesity, insulin resistance and the prevention of diabetes.

WEEK 3
Physiological Regulation of Plasma Glucose
During module 3 we will focus on physiological
 regulation of plasma glucose. Professor Jens Juul Holst will guide you through the complex regulation of glucose in humans. This will be difficult but hang on you will see the usefulness of what you learn in this module during the subsequent modules where we will discuss the incretins and treatment of hyperglycemia

WEEK 4
The incretins
Incretin biology is now applied in treating subjects with diabetes and recently approved by the FDA for weight reduction. But what does they do? Don't hesitate to start watching the videos because in this module you will learn all about the incretin lead byProfessor Jens Juul Holst

WEEK 5
Clinical manifestation of Diabetes and Treatment
We hope that you enjoyed last modules about glucose regulation and incretin biology thus it may seems more advanced compared to first modules.We hope you stay with us and learn more about Clinical Manifestation of Diabetes and Treatment by Professor Allan Vaag and treatment of hyperglycemia by Professor Sten Madsbad.

WEEK 6
Inflammatory Beta-cell Destruction in Diabetes
Inflammatory beta-cell destruction in diabetes by professor Thomas Mandrup-Poulsen. During this module we Professor Mandrup-Poulsen will guide you through cytokines mediated destruction of the pancreatic beta-cells furthermore their potentiality as drugs targets.

WEEK 7
Genetic Aspects of Diabetes
Genetics are important for understanding and treating diabetes. In this module Professor Torben Hansen will discuss the genetic aspects of diabetes

WEEK 8
Translational Aspects
Translational medicine? Learn more by watching our new module by Assistant Professor Torekov. In this module we will discuss two case of translational aspects to highlight its importance. In other words we will go from bench to bedside.

WEEK 9
Development of antidiabetic agents
Have you ever thought "how to develop a antidiabetic agent?" Professor Birgitte Holst will take you through some potential drug targets and how to use G-protein coupled receptor for treatment of diabetes

WEEK 10
Stem Cell Based Therapy of Diabetes
Module 10 will focus on 'Stem Cell Based Therapy of Diabetes' and the question 'What are the advantages and disadvantages in cell therapy of diabetes?' is raised by Professor Ole Dragsbæk-Madsen.

WEEK 11
Exercise – How Does it Work?
Exercise has many beneficial effects - but how does it actually work? Professor Bente Klarlund will take you through the latest scientific research on how the exercise of skeletal muscles affect our organs and entire body.

WEEK 12
Peer Graded Assignment
Try to summarize all what you have learn watching these modules and have fun with writing a peer-graded assignment. The goal is simply to integrate what you have learned and put this together in a practical solution based manner.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Mental Health and Resilience for Healthcare Workers (Coursera) Coursera
University of Toronto

Mental Health and Resilience for Healthcare Workers (Coursera)

This course will help institutions and individuals better manage the mental health challenges of being a healthcare worker. Healthcare providers such as the University Health Network (UHN) address the mental health needs of their staff through several initiatives intended to help build resilience and to provide respite from the demands of their work. This was critical during the pandemic but, of course, healthcare workers encounter high levels of stress even without a pandemic.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Stanford's Short Course on Breastfeeding (Coursera) Coursera
Stanford University

Stanford's Short Course on Breastfeeding (Coursera)

Stanford's Short Course on Breastfeeding was designed for new mothers and the people who support them. This engaging, one-week learning experience, provides participants with everything they need to know to more successfully establish breastfeeding – or support a new mother who has decided to breastfeed. We created the course because we recognize that there is a very small window in which successful, exclusive breastfeeding can be established, and that many new mothers are mastering this skill during a busy and sometimes stressful time.

Sep 21st 2026
1 Week
Hacking COVID-19 — Course 1: Identifying a Deadly Pathogen (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, San Diego

Hacking COVID-19 — Course 1: Identifying a Deadly Pathogen (Coursera)

In this course, you will follow in the footsteps of the bioinformaticians investigating the COVID-19 outbreak by assembling the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Whether you’re new to the world of computational biology, or you’re a bioinformatics expert seeking to learn about its applications in the COVID-19 pandemic, or somewhere in between, this course is for you!

Sep 21st 2026
2 Weeks
Precision Medicine (Coursera) Coursera
University of Geneva

Precision Medicine (Coursera)

This course will provide you with the key knowledge and tools to understand the fundamentals and practical implications of precision medicine, its opportunities and challenges. It will address precision-medicine era diagnostics, treatment selection, genetic counseling, public health interventions, and biomedical research. It will also deal with data science and ethical issues. From genomic analysis and genetic counseling to cancer biomarkers, from risk assessment of chronic diseases to the understanding of gene-environment interactions, from pharmacogenomics to multi-omics data integration, experts will walk you through the many aspects of precision medicine, from the bench to the bedside and to population health.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Systems Science and Obesity (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Systems Science and Obesity (Coursera)

Systems science has been instrumental in breaking new scientific ground in diverse fields such as meteorology, engineering and decision analysis. However, it is just beginning to impact public health. This seminar is designed to introduce students to basic tools of theory building and data analysis in systems science and to apply those tools to better understand the obesity epidemic in human populations.

Sep 21st 2026
4 Weeks
Fundamentals for Implementing a Hypertension Program (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Fundamentals for Implementing a Hypertension Program (Coursera)

This course provides the fundamental knowledge necessary for program managers and implementors in a hypertension control program, especially in resource-limited settings. The course is interactive and includes useful tips relevant to different settings. The course should be also relevant to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, community health workers, and others who are interested in learning about hypertension diagnosis and management.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface (Coursera) Coursera
University of Geneva

Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface (Coursera)

The University of Geneva, Institute Pasteur, University of Montreal and Centre Virchow-Villermé/University Paris Descartes welcome you to this new MOOC on "Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface"! Over the next 5 weeks, you will explore and learn about some of the major and current Global Health Challenges at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface: zoonotic emerging infections (e.g. Ebola, Nipah, MERS, Avian Influenza), antimicrobial resistance, neglected tropical diseases (e.g. rabies, leishmaniasis, zoonotic TB), snakebite and other human-animal conflicts etc.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us (Coursera)

The vital signs – heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration rate, and pain – communicate important information about the physiological status of the human body. In this six-part course we explore the anatomy and physiology underlying the vital signs so that you will develop a systematic, integrated understanding of how the body functions.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks