Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field of study that includes engineering, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. MSc Biotechnology has a wide range of applications both in India and abroad. The graph of biotechnology’s contribution to nontraditional sectors has grown significantly in recent years.

At its simplest, biotechnology is technology based on biology – biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. Biotechnology began at least 6,000 years ago with the agricultural revolution. This early era was characterized by exploiting living organisms in their natural forms or modifying their genetic makeup through selective breeding.

Around the same time, humans learned to harness the biological process of fermentation to produce bread, alcohol and cheese. People also began changing the genetic makeup of domesticated plants and animals through selective breeding.

Selective breeding works by breeding parents with desirable characteristics to express or eliminate certain genetic characteristics in their offspring. Over time, species that are selectively bred evolve to be different from their wild ancestors. For instance, during the agricultural revolution, wheat was selectively bred to stay on its stem when harvested instead of falling to the ground like wild wheat. Dogs were selectively bred to be more docile than their wolf ancestors.

Early applications of biotech led to the development of products such as bread and vaccines. However, the discipline has evolved significantly over the last century in ways that manipulate the genetic structures and biomolecular processes of living organisms. The modern practice of biotechnology draws from various disciplines of science and technology, including the following:

• molecular biology
• chemistry
• bionics
• genetic engineering
• genomics
• nanotechnology
• informatics

This approach has resulted in innovations and breakthroughs in the following areas:

• medicines and therapeuticsthat prevent and treat disease;
• medical diagnosticssuch as pregnancy tests;
• biofuelsthat are sustainable, reducing waste and pollution; and
• genetically modified organisms (GMOs)that lead to more efficient and cost-effective agriculture.

Modern applications of biotechnology work most often through genetic engineering, which is also known as recombinant DNA technology. Genetic engineering works by modifying or interacting with the genetic cell structures. Every cell in an animal or plant contains genes that produce proteins. It’s those proteins that determine the characteristics of the organism.

The scope of biotechnology is huge and includes the following:

1. Food Biotechnology – For surmounting the difficulties that arise in food preservation, food processing, and food production.
2. Medical Biotechnology – For the betterment of various applications in the healthcare industry
3. Environment Biotechnology – To help restore the balance between human interest, ecology, and nature.
4. Plant Biotechnology The role of biotechnology here is to bring in vital sources for many foods and raw materials.
5. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology – For dealing with therapeutic elements that have helped numerous pharma companies evolve in the world.

Types of biotechnology

The science of biotechnology is broken down into subdisciplines that are color-coded based on common uses and applications.

• Red biotechnologyinvolves medical processes, such as using organisms to produce new drugs and stem cells to regenerate damaged human tissues and grow and regrow entire organs.
• White or gray refers to industrial processes, such as the development of new chemicals or new biofuels for vehicles.
• Green covers agricultural processes, such as producing pest-resistant crops, disease-resistant animals and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
• Gold, also known as bioinformatics, is a cross between biological processes and informatics. It refers to the methods healthcare workers use to gather, store and analyze biological data to treat patients.
• Blue encompasses processes in marine and aquatic environments, such as converting aquatic biomass into fuels and pharmaceuticals.
• Yellow refers to processes that aid food production, the most popular application being the fermentation of alcohol and cheese.
• Violet ensures the practice of biotechnology is in compliancewith laws and ethical standards governing each field.
• Dark is the use of biotechnology for weapons or warfare.

MSc biotechnologists typically find employment in India and abroad with various:

Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Bioprocessing, Medicinal Research, Industrial Research, Textile, Food industry, Cosmetic industry, nutrition industry, agriculture-related, and pollution control sectors. Candidates who possess a master’s degree in Biotechnology are also eligible for most of the research jobs offered by various organizations. A few prominent organizations in India only hire students who have passed one of the national entrance tests, such as GAT-B & BET,CSIR NET, GATE, ARS NET, ICMR JRF, etc.

Job Opportunities after Biotechnology are listed below.

• Agriculture Sector
• Chemical Industries
• Medical Institutions
• University and Colleges
• Pharmaceutical and Drug Research
• Government research institutes
• Industry of Food Processing
• Conservation and Production of energy
• Industry of Bio-processing
• Waste Management

Job Opportunities after Biotechnology in India – Top

Recruiters

The top employers are listed below, and they include both private and public enterprises as well as government research institutions.

• Ranbaxy
• Reddy`s
• Cipla
• Indian Immunology Ltd.
• Serum Institute of India
• Bharat Biotech
• Biocon
• Novo Nordisk
• GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals
• Panacea Biotech Ltd.
• Zydus Cadila
• Government Active Research Establishments
• Biotechnology Consortium of India Ltd
• Indian Council for Agricultural Research
• The Department of Science and Technology
• The Government of India national Biotechnology Board
• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
• Defense Research Development Organization

Job Opportunities after Biotechnology in India- Job

Profiles

Here is the list of top Job profiles for Biotechnology graduates. Check out the details about various job profiles and finalise the one that suits the best.

• Bio Chemist
• Medical Scientists
• Biomedical Engineer
• Epidemiologists
• Microbiologists
• Zoologist
• Operators in Bioproduction
• Genetic counselors
• biochemical engineer
• Chemical engineer technician
• Food safety analysts
• Teacher or Professor
• Scientist in R&D and Process Development
• Lab technicians – DNA, IVF, Prosthetic, organ transplant, etc.
• Quality analyst- food, soil, plant, chemical, dermatology products

Job Opportunities after MSc Biotechnology in Abroad

Numerous institutions and organizations engaged directly or indirectly in biotechnology research are found in other nations. Since MSc holders have greater indepth expertise in their fields, they are most suited for industrial research positions in food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agricultural development, and production DNA research laboratories, medical research labs, pharmacy firms, etc.

Listed below are some of the prominent job profiles for the candidates who have completed Biotechnology.

• Biomechanics scientists
• Bioinformatics researcher
• Biophysicists
• Microbiologist
• Medical scientist
• Bio-manufacturing scientist
• Medical and clinical lab technologists
• Environmental hazard management
• Biological technologist
• R&D scientists
• Epidemiologists

Uses and applications of biotechnology

The use and commercialization of modern biotechnology often fall into four main fields: environment, medicine, industry and agriculture.

Environment

The aim of environmental biotechnology is to develop sustainable environmental practices that reduce pollution and waste. The following are examples of environmental biotech:

• Phytoremediationuses genetically engineered microorganisms to purify soils of heavy metals and other pollutants.
• Bioremediationintroduces microorganisms into waste sites in order to organically break down nonrecyclable waste.
• Plastic-eating bacteriabreaks down waste such as plastic in soils and water.
• GMO foodsstay fresher longer and reduce food waste.
• Genetic restorationattempts to restore endangered species such as the American chestnut tree.
• Cover-cropssuch as corn are used as biofuels, replacing traditional fuel sources that produce greenhouse gas emissions when extracted and used.

Medicine

Medical biotechnology, also known as biopharma, aims to fight and prevent disease and improve healthcare. Biotechnology and biomedical research are the basis of the modern pharmaceutical industry. Uses include the following:

• stem cell research that helps replace or repair dead or defective cells;
• antibiotics development;
• gene therapies for diseases such as leukemia;
• research into dangerous pathogens and the antibodies that fight them;
• 3D printingor growing of organs and bones in labs; and
• mRNA vaccines, monoclonal antibody treatments and research for COVID-19.

Industry

Industrial biotechnology involves using microorganisms to produce industrial goods. Examples include the following:

• fermentation and the use of enzymes and microbes to streamline chemical manufacturing and reduce operational costs and chemical emissions;
• biofuels that use renewable crops such as corn to produce combustible fuel instead of natural, nonrenewable fossil fuel resources, such as petroleum and oil; and
• biodegradable garments and textiles made from the proteins of living organisms, such as the silk proteins of spiders.

Agriculture

Agricultural biotechnology genetically engineers plants and animals to produce more efficient agriculture, increase nutritional value and reduce food insecurity. Some examples of agricultural biotechnology are the following:

• biologically produced pesticides and herbicides that are less harmful to humans than chemical ones;
• drought-resistant crops;
• minimal space-resilient crops;
• meat grown in labs or using 3D printers;
• gluten-free grains friendly to sufferers of celiac;
• selective breeding that produces healthier, bigger livestock and crops; and
• nutrient supplementation that infuses food with added nutrients to improve diets and medical treatments.

Scope of Biotechnology in Canada

The scope of biotechnology in Canada is immense. We live in times where innovative products, new applications, and amazing discoveries keep happening in the country. Many organisations based in Canada hire biotechnology professionals in large numbers and offer an excellent pay package. In Canada, biotechnology students work in environments like environment, industrial, food manufacturing, medicine, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, etc.

Biotechnologists in Canada can look forward to working in Canada in different roles, including:

• Seed technologist
• Agricultural technologist
• Botanical technician
• Microbiology quality control technologist
• Plant breeding technician
• Microbiology technologist
• Agrology technician

Scope of Biotechnology in Australia

Students can consider pursuing biotechnology courses in Australia for its overall scope and excellent prospects. There are more than 40 universities in Australia that offer biotechnology courses. Typically, the duration of biotechnology courses in Australia varies between 1.5 and 2 years. Studying biotechnology in Australia can open gates for you to pursue more advanced programs in the future. Also, jobs for skilled biotechnology graduates in Australia will increase in the coming years.

Biotechnology students in Australia can look forward to making their careers as:

• Biomedical engineers
• Bioinformatics technicians
• Biological scientists
• Biostatisticians
• Clinical consultants
• Biomedical engineers, etc.

Scope of Biotechnology in Singapore

Singapore presents a bright scope for students wishing to study biotechnology courses in the country. Singapore has made rapid strides on the economic front in recent years. It is always known for its manufacturing units and technological development. Many pharmaceutical companies based in Singapore consistently hire biotechnology graduates to serve them in different capacities.

Some of the leading job opportunities available in Singapore for Biotechnology graduates are:

• Biotechnology lecturer
• Laboratory biotechnologist
• Medical technologist
• Research associate
• Clinical project coordinator
• Food technologist

Scope of Biotechnology in UK

With the UK being one of the major hubs for biotechnology, Indian students have many reasons for pursuing this course. The best part about studying biotechnology in the UK is that it offers cutting-edge infrastructure and educational facilities to students enrolled in different programs. Also, with London being a significant biotechnology centre, Indian students can look forward to making careers in big companies, like Novartis, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Nightstar, Heptare, etc.

Some of the most popular job positions available for biotechnology students in the UK are:

• Biotechnology data managers
• Biostatisticians
• Biotechnologists
• Cellular and molecular biologists
• Clinical scientists
• Microbiologist
• Biomedical engineer
• Nanotechnologist

Scope of Biotechnology in UAE

Biotechnology is among emerging fields in the UAE as more and more companies in the region are looking for ways to harness the power of biotechnology to create new products. Companies operating in different sectors, like FMCG, Consulting, Medical, Agriculture, Pharmaceutics, and Education, consistently hire biotechnology graduates in large numbers for various roles.

Some of the prominent job roles available in the UAE if you are a student of biotechnology are:

• Bioinformatics engineer
• Genome analyst
• Genetic engineer
• Nanobiotechnologist
• Pharmaceutical engineer
• Stem cell researcher
• Quality controller