As soon as a student qualify Intermediate the search for a desired and good place for undergraduate program starts. Yes, we all do have plans also that we have made during our 10th or 12th but they most of the time wouldn’t remain the same as the result is out. We search a lot of university websites for information regarding which course to opt, which university to go and how to get in. So, if you are a biology or maths pass out than one bright scope for you is the field of biotechnology. It is a field of study that is growing rapidly. With the advancement in technology the science field too is expanding its branches and areas, as a result of which new sub-branches are emerging now a days from the classical streams.
❖ Why biotechnology is a good option for you?
The answer lies in the fact that biotechnology is a unique blend of biology with chemistry, physics and mathematics as well therefore it provides career openings in scientific as well administrative segments. Careers in biotechnology includes opportunities in research and development, quality control, policy making and academics. With biotechnology you can be a part of innovative and exciting research projects of national and international organisations. One can opt biotechnology if you want to challenge yourself intellectually and explore the wide array of interdisciplinary specializations. Biotechnologists invents useful technologies for medicine, healthcare, crop improvement and other agricultural processes, industries as well as management of environment. One can thus works for the welfare society.
In simple words, Biotechnology is a branch of biology that make use of technology and living organisms most commonly micro-organisms for making of products that are beneficial for mankind. It is a multidisciplinary field. Biotechnology has vast application and a promising field in which you can exhale in your careers. After completion of your degree in biotechnology you can choose to go in research or biotech industries. One can choose between classical bachelors or master degree in biotechnology or may go for B.tech. or M.tech in biotechnology. In this way one can earn an engineering degree in biotechnology also. The major areas under biotechnology includes Healthcare, soil biology, ecology and environment, textile industry, medicine, pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, eco–technology, cosmetology, agriculture, computational biology and animal husbandry.
Biotechnology helps in reducing the occurrence of infectious disease thus saving millions of people worldwide for life threatening effects of deadly disease by discovering the ways new technology can be integrated to biological processes. It also uses enzymes in various fermentation processes that help in the production of various products of human benefit. To name a few uses of bio-fuel instead of traditional fuels is a very promising option. It cut the emission of greenhouse gases by nearly 50%. More than 50 biorefineries are known to be working presently across the globe today.
With recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering as its further bifurcated branches, biotechnology proves as a tool for the production of transgenic crops and farm animals. The use of transgenic agricultural crops helps in the development of crop that has high yield, high nutritional values, good nutritional profiles, pest resistant and allows low use of chemical fertilizers. The improvement of crop indirectly leads to improvement of health. Currently agriculture biotechnology is a promising future aspect that is helping millions of farmers globally in increasing the crop yield and prevention of pests and insects.
Recent advances in the field of biotechnology offers society protection from many unforeseen challenges. One such challenge we have just come out of is COVID-19. Vaccine is a boon to mankind that biotechnology has offered. Presently about 200 vaccines and healthcare products are available for disease that were previously incurable. Some fields of study that comes under biotechnology includes:
1. Environment biotechnologist
As environment is of growing concern across the globe and technologies are being developed to reduce the environmental pollution, the use of biotechnology for such purposes is also being researched. Thus, the role of environment biotechnologist is to detect pollutant and contaminant, waste water treatment from industries and development of biodegradable products that can replace the existing.
2. Pharmaceutical biotechnologist
Application of biotechnology in the development of drugs is the main scope and field of pharmaceutical biotechnologist. A pharmaceutical biotechnologist studies the molecular structures of drugs and their synthesis as well as purification. The basic responsibilities include clinical trials and formulation of drug delivery system. Besides Pharma and drug companies, regulatory authorities also have job opportunities for pharmaceutical biotechnologists.
3. Molecular biotechnologist
Molecular biotechnology involves use of molecular and genetic methods to improve animals and humans by modification of nucleic acids and proteins. It can be done directly through improvement in medical or indirectly through manipulation of environment as well as agriculture. A molecular biotechnologist thus works for the development of innovative technologies in cloning, genomic, medicine and research of genome analysis and editing.
4. Genetic engineer
Genetic engineering involves modification in the genetic make up of organism that may be a plant, animal, insect etc. for the benefit of mankind. Genetic engineer works in research labs for the development of new genetically modified plants/crop with improved yield, pest resistant etc. or animals with improved performance.
❖ Conclusion
Various university offer UG and PG in biotechnology. Among them one emerging university is IIMT University, Meerut. IIMT university, Meerut is a leading institution of higher education dedicated to providing the students with a world-class education. It has commitment for academic excellence and dedication for providing students with a supportive and engaging learning environment. With a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect fit for your educational and career goals. Here the Department of Biotechnology runs in School of life sciences and technology that offers UG, PG and Ph.D. program in biotechnology. With state-of-the-art technology and comfortable facilities, classrooms are designed to provide you with a conducive learning environment. The labs are well equipped with all required instruments like autoclave, centrifuge, spectrophotometer etc. Here you find separate UG, PG and Ph.D. labs for efficient working. The faculty comprised of highly qualified and experienced professors who are dedicated to helping you develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. This is why IIMT University Meerut is known as the best private university in Meerut U.P.