Careers in Biotechnology

Biotechnologists need a serious scientific temper, interest in research, an indulgent attitude for academics. Long term study and significant chances for studying abroad. Professional challenge is in research related to medical and health sector, pharmaceuticals, agricultural sciences, chemical research, energy management, genetic engineering and industry, environmental biotechnology, agriculture, animal and human genetics.
 

Introduction

Biotechnology is the exploitation of natural resources at the microbial and molecular level for the benefit of mankind. It is an interdisciplinary field of study and employs an integrated approach applying knowledge and techniques of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics and Chemical Engineering, to gain technologically from the properties and capacities endowed by nature to micro-organisms and cell structures. Biotechnologists have developed the possibility of producing, from widely available renewable resources, substances and compounds which are essential to life and for the benefit of mankind. 

Biotechnologist's work in research is related to medical and health care, pharmaceutical research, and in agricultural sciences. The development of bio-insecticides, biochemicals and tissue culture by biotechnologists has almost revolutionized agriculture sciences. Biotechnologists apply various scientific procedures in chemical research, energy management, genetic engineering and industry. Environmental biotechnology is another extensive area of work with the impending dangers brought about by environmental pollutants. From treatment of industrial waste to recycling of sewage - all microbial processes are the concern of environmental biotechnologists.

Their work involves devising biotechnological techniques for increasing productivity and quality, efficient processing and utilisation of products with lesser reliance on agro chemicals, and genetic improvement - an extensive area of work encompassing agriculture, animal and human genetics.

Nature of Work

Biotechnologists work with scientists from disciplines such as microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, chemistry, food science, agriculture and engineering with other inputs from managers, economists, politicians, policy makers, legislators etc. Cooperation of this nature is required for innovative research in the laboratory to be developed to commercial success.

The major biological agents in biotechnology are micro-organisms and their enzymes. Biotechnologists work in independent areas and through research provide goods which include products of the following industries: health care (antibiotics, vaccines, hormones), biochemical (enzymes, vitamins, flavours, organic solvents), food (dairy products, microbial protein such as Quorn), drinks (wine, beer), agriculture (nitrogen fixation, ensilage), metals (extraction from ores). Among the services supported by biotechnologists are treatment and management of waste from the home and industry and many analytical and diagnostic techniques. In the field of agriculture modern biotechnologists conduct research for improving crop, livestock, forestry and fishery development.

Work Conditions

Scientific research laboratories are well equipped with silent working environment 

Group work involves scientists from different disciplines

Travel to different scientific centres may be required

Private labs have state of art technologies

Marketing/market research involves travel

Personal Qualities

Bright academic profile

Scientific bent of mind

Hard work & perseverance

Challenge for achieving results

Urge to lead innovative research

Interest is areas of human welfare (agriculture, drugs, environment etc.)

Interest in academic research 

Genuine scientific temper

Job Prospects

Research & Development labs working in genetics, biochemistry and biochemical engineering 

Institutional departments 

Industries manufacturing antimicrobial agents, reagents and consumables. 

In marketing of instruments used in biotechnological applications and research 

In business development of biotechnological products 

In industries producing food, chemicals, bio-processed products etc. 

In Industrial R&D which covers waste and pollution management

In the identification of biotechnological development opportunities for the industry in India and abroad

In environmental biotechnology to resolve crisis related to marine life, depletion of the atmosphere etc. 

Government labs.

Both technical and managerial positions in the private sector 

In the study of marine biotech, biomedicine, earth sciences, biomedical engineering, agricultural and environmental biotechnology etc.

Study Options

 

Biotechnology is a 2 year course for graduates in Physical, Biological, Agricultural, Veterinary and Fishery Sciences. Graduates in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Technology or Medicine can also do a postgraduation in Biotechnology. 

M.Tech. in Biotechnology can be done after Chemical/Bio- chemical engineering, Leather technology, Pharmaceutical Technology, Food Technology, B.Pharma and Dairy Technology. Post graduates in life sciences, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Physiology, Pharmacology and Biophysics can also study for an M.Tech. in Biotechnology.

5 year integrated course - The IIT's at Kharagpur and Delhi conduct this course for school leavers

A number of educational and research institutions like the National Institute of Immunology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute and International Centre for Genetic Engineering, New Delhi, Bose Institute in Calcutta, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology etc. offer academic and research facilities.

Department of Biotechnology, CGO complex Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110003 monitors the work going on in the field of biotechnology in India. This Department of Biotechnology (DBT) was set up for teaching and training and supporting a large number of research facilities in related fields. DBT has 32 universities and research institutions across the country. DBT encourages industrial houses to sponsor candidates for research. DBT has also created the Biotechnology Consortium of India Limited (BCIL) for helping students in industrial experience after post graduate or doctoral courses. Courses 

Postgraduate courses in biotechnology

EASTERN REGION

Jadavpur Univeristy, PO Jadavpur University, Calcutta 700032, West Bengal M.Tech. 

University of Calcutta, Calcutta 700073 M.Tech. (Biotech) 

Patna University, Patna 800005 B.Sc. with Biotech 

Tezpur University, PO Box 72, Tezpur 784001 M.Sc. (Molecular Biology & Biotech) 

Lalit Narayan Mithila University, Kameshwar Nagar, Darbhanga 846008 M.Sc. 

Guwahati University, Guwahati 781014 M.Sc.

NORTHERN REGION

Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar 263145, Distt. Nainital M.Sc. 

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005 M.Sc. 

Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202 002 M.Sc. 

University of Roorkee, Roorkee M.Sc. 

JNU, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi 110 067 M.Sc. 

University of Delhi, New Delhi - 110 007 M.Sc. 

AIIMS, New Delhi 110 029 Masters in Biotech 

Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi M.Tech. (Integrated) 

Punjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh 160014 M.Sc. 

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005 M.Sc. 

Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab M.Sc. 

Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur 492010 M.Sc. 

Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra 136119 M.Sc. 

Jiwaji University, Gwalior 474011 M.Sc. 

Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla 171005 M.Sc. 

Guru Ghasidas University, PO Koni, Bilaspur 495009 M.Sc. 

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Gour Nagar, Sagar 470003 MP M.Sc.

WESTERN REGION

Maharaja Sayaji Rao University, Vadodara 390002 Gujarat M.Sc. 

IIT-Powai, Mumbai 400076 M.Sc. 

Amravati University, Tapowan Road. Camp, Amravati 444602 M.Sc. 

Marathwada University, Aurangabad 431004 M.Sc. 

North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon 425001 M.Sc. 

Banasthali Vidyapeeth, PO Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Rajasthan M.Sc. 

Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani 333031 M.E. Biotech 

University of Poona, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007 M.Sc. 

Goa University, PO Santa Cruz, Taleigao Plateau, Goa 403002 M.Sc. (Marine Biotech)

SOUTHERN REGION

University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500134 M.Sc. 

JNTU, Masab Tank Mahaveer Marg, Hyderabad 500028 M.Tech. 

University of Mysore, Mysore 570005 M.Sc. 

Cochin University of Science and Technology, PO Kochi 682022 M.Sc. 

Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala 686560 M.Sc. 

University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 695034 M.Sc. 

University of Calicut, Malappuram, Distt. Kozhikode 673635 M.Sc. B.Sc. with Biotech. 

University of Chennai, Centenary Building, Chepauk, Chennai 600005 M.Sc. 

Madurai Kamraj Univeristy, Palkalai Nagar, Madurai 625021 M.Sc. 

Bharatiyar University, Muruthamalai Road, Coimbatore 641046 M.Sc. 

Tamil Nadu GD Naidu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003 M.Sc.

All India Biotechnology entrance examination

Combined Entrance Examination for admission to M.Sc./M.Sc. (Agri.)/M.V.Sc. (Animal) Biotech/M.Tech. Biotechnology is conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University at various participating Universities. 

M.Sc. Biotechnology

Eligibility Bachelor's degree in Physical, Biological, Agricultural, Veterinary, Fishery Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering, Technology or Medicine (MBBS) with at least 55% marks for M.Sc. Biotechnology at : (1) Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; (2) Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi,; (3) Calicut University, Kerala; (4) Central University, Hyderabad; (5) Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore; (6) G.B.Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pant Nagar; (7) Goa University, Goa; (8) Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar; (9) Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla; (10) Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; (11) M.S. University of Baroda, Baroda; (12) Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai; (13) Punjab University, Chandigarh; (14) Pondicherry University, Pondicherry; (15) Poona University, Pune; (16) Punjabi University, Patiala, Tezpur University, Assam (17) Jammu University.

M.Sc. (Agrl.) Biotechnology/M.V.Sc. Animal Biotechnology

Elgibility: Graduates in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Fisheries, Veterinary Sciences or Agricultural Engineering and (only B.V.Sc. degree for Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai) with 70% marks or CGPA of at least 3 out of 4; or 7 out of 10 in the grading system in case of Tamil Nadu Agricultural, University of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences (10+2+4) and 55% marks in case of G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology are eligible to apply .

M. Tech. Biotechnology

Eligibility: B. Tech degree with minimum 60% marks or equivalent in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Industrial Biotech (BE), Leather Technology, Pharmaceutical Technology, Food Technology, B. Pharma, and Dairy Technology or Master's Degree (Biotech) with minimum 60% marks or equivalent in Life Sciences, Botany, Zoology, Bio-chemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Physiology, Pharmacology and Bio-physics are eligible to apply for M. Tech., Industrial Biotech (BE). Biotechnology offered at Anna University, Chennai & Jadavpur University, Calcutta.