Biotechnology integrates the disciplines of biology and technology to provide a modern aspect of scientific engineering. It is a multifaceted specialization that employs biological, cellular, and biomedical processes to improve human lives.
The scope of biotechnologists includes various sectors, namely, agriculture, health care, industrial processing, pharmaceuticals, and environmental management. Biotechnology has an estimated 8000 targets to produce new medicine and healthcare products to aid individuals suffering from various diseases. Biotechnology has had a significant impact on the medical and healthcare sectors. Biotechnologists undertake studies in commercial and public laboratories to change or manipulate biological organisms in order to generate new goods. Biotechnologists can work as biochemists, biophysicists, or medical scientists in a variety of sectors. Biotechnologists create valuable products from living systems, as the term "biotechnology" generally refers to genetically modified materials.
The potential for a career in biotechnology is enormous, as remarkable discoveries, new uses, and breakthrough products are hitting the market on a daily basis. There are numerous organizations that are excellent resources for folks who are just starting out in the field of biotechnology. Biotechnology graduates pursue careers in research labs, graduate studies in biology and chemistry, and professional positions in the health sciences. A large number of pharmaceutical companies have job openings for biotechnology engineers. However, Biomedical engineers are also needed in breweries and environmental-control sectors. As a professional, you must understand how biological systems work and identify strategies to adapt, alter, transform, and govern their function. A quick study of biotechnologist jobs on Indeed portal yields 8,665 job listings with titles like Research Associate, Quality Control, Content-writer, Research Assistance, and Algal biotechnologist and process developer. After completing their undergraduate studies, students who are interested in furthering their education might pursue a master’s degree in biotechnology. Again, a master's degree in biotechnology can be in M.Sc. or M.Tech. A graduate degree in any of the living sciences is required for admission to the Postgraduate Programme in biotechnology. Students who are interested in research can further their education by obtaining a Ph.D. degree in biotechnology.
In addition, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) established biotechnology parks and incubators all over the country to transfer research into goods and services by delivering infrastructural support. These biotechnology parks provide researchers and small enterprises with facilities for technology incubation and pilot plant research in order to promote biotechnology commercialization. The government currently sponsors nine biotechnology parks in various states; the majority of them are in the southern region.
The expansion of start-ups and the advancement of research will be assisted by an increase in the number of biotech incubators. Because of its multidisciplinary approach, the biotechnology sector is able to provide a number of solutions for problems in a variety of fields such as health, agriculture, the environment, energy, and industrial processes.
Dr. Shrasti Vasistha
Assistant Professor
School of Biosciences
