Recent Innovations of Biotechnology for Human Welfare

 

Written by 

Dr. Shiv Om Pratap, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Science, SAGE University, Indore (M.P),  

Contact Number: 9997867170

Email: drshivompratap@gmail.com

Introduction:

Biotechnology is a modern and youngest branch of ‘Biological Sciences’ utilized the integrated principles of Biological and Engineering, for enhancing industrial production and higher researches for better human welfare. For this purpose plants, animals and even micro-organisms are used as a biological resources to provide more benefits to society through advent tools of Biotechnological innovations like as; genetic engineering, RDT, GMOs, genomics, proteomics, site directed mutagenesis, genome mapping, molecular markers, anti-sense technology, Bio-informatics tools, CRISPR technology, DNA fingerprinting, molecular disease diagnostic tools, molecular farming, pharmacogenomics, agricultural biotechnology, environment biotechnology, gene therapy etc. Earlier Biotechnology was developed as a kitchen Biotechnology being used basically for food products but now classified in to followings areas upon the basis of their utilization-

1)  1. Red biotechnology deals with genetically modified microorganisms (GMOs) which are used for improved productivity and desired traits like; milk, meat, vital genetic architecture etc. These GMOs are also utilized as a ‘Bioreactor’ for the ‘Molecular Farming’ to produce vital pharmacological, nutritional and medicinal products in-vivo through the principles of Genetic Engineering. Red biotechnology also helps in reproductive technologies like in-vitro fertilization (Test Tube babies), DNA profiling, forensics and in transplantation technologies.

2) 2. White biotechnology involves the manufacturing of useful chemicals for the Industrial Sector: hormones, enzymes, acids, drugs, antibiotics, vaccines, growth metabolites etc. by using microorganisms Molds, yeast and bacteria. White Biotechnology also have significant role in cleaning up oil spills, protecting endangered species by storing DNA samples to be used for future research.

3)   3. Green biotechnology, also known as Agricultural Biotechnology, involves the manipulation of plants to produce specialized crops species which are eco-friendly and more productive, higher resistant and tolerant against environmental stresses and pathogens, causes extensive damages to crops in India. Development of varieties of wheat that are disease resistant by cross breeding of different types of wheat is an example of green biotechnology.

Biotechnological Tools:

Agricultural Sector, Health Care Management, Clinical Researchers, Molecular Farming, Transgenesis (GMOs), Green Energy like Bio-fuels, Environmental Biotechnology, Industrial Operations (Food, Dairy, MNCs, Beverages etc.), Animal husbandry Academics, Forensic Biotechnology Drug & Vaccines Designing and Production, Marine Biotechnology, Herbal Formulations, Plant Biotechnology, Research Grants from Government and Private agencies. 

Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Allied Fields:

When majority of people think about the future opportunities in Biotechnology and allied fields, they assume to be a scientist in a laboratory for developing novel drugs or protocols or specified researches for making life ease. However, biotechnology has wide varieties of career opportunities both in research and industrial sector like as; researches, production, marketing, medicine formulation, healthcare, agricultural crop management, animal husbandry, environment and food industry etc. These are as follows

1.  The work of biotechnologists is essentially a scientific and research-oriented especially in production of various bioprocessed materials, new product designing, processing of biological informations. Many of the entry-level biotechnology jobs are in Research and development, Quality Control, Clinical Researches, manufacturing & production sectors.  

2.There are number of avenues for Biotechnology P.G students, are available in drug and pharmaceutical research, public funded laboratories, environmental management and pollution control, waste management, energy, agriculture, food processing and bio-processing industries. Most Biotechnology professionals find employment in research laboratories, basically.

3. As a Biochemical or Microbiological professionals, the job responsibilities exist for the designing and scale-up of industrial operations, instruments and equipment of manufacturing units such as new product scale-up and technology transfer and process validation activities. He or she can work with various departments to ensure that processing and designing are compatible or need to be improvement further.

4. Scientific professionals in Clinical laboratory are the vital healthcare detectives, who assist physicians in diagnosis and treatment, as well as in disease monitoring or prevention using sophisticated biomedical instruments and technologies including computational data management and Molecular Diagnostic Tools in contrast to conventional pathological analysis. Under clinical research profession, job opportunities remain as clinical research administrator, clinical coordinator, clinical programmer, clinical data specialist, drug experience coordinator, clinical research associate, animal handler and animal technicians etc. Laboratories in public and private sector are attracting youth talents and engaging biotechnology graduates as biochemists and biotechnicians.

5.  Opportunities exist as regulatory affair’s and specialist, who coordinate and prepare documents for submission to regulatory agencies, internal audits and inspections. Such jobs help in monitoring and improving tracking and control systems and keeps regulatory procedures and changes.

6. As a patent and copy right professionals, responsible for preparing and coordinating all procedural documentation for fillings application, assist attorneys and drafting, editing of patents/copy rights followed by the collection and evaluation of supporting data.

7.   Post Graduate students may work in government Institutes, Universities as JRF, SRF while Doctoral Students can as RA professionals in the CSIR, ICAR Labs, Regional Research Labs, national institutes, Centers of excellence, DBT institutes through sponsored projects.

8. Post-doctoral fellowships in specialized disciplines of Biotechnology are also being supported through DBT entrances for further researches.

9. Number of agriculture, dairy and horticulture Institutes also exist which would need employable Biotechnology students for Jobs prospects,

10. Mostly drugs companies require the professionals of Biological Sciences in Dabar, Ranbaxy, Hindustan Lever, Dr. Reddy’s Labs and Biocon etc. in their R&D units which would be another area for the qualified candidates.

11.The professionals of Biological Sciences may opt faculty positions in colleges, universities and research institutes funded by state and central governments as per their specialization.

12. Biotechnology or Biological Sciences professional may apply for the research projects for Government and private funding agencies for getting financial assistance to carry out their proposed research projects for further.

13. Students may join Ph.D. in various reputed Central Universities, State Universities etc. after clearing JRF exam conducted by UGC, CSIR, ICMR and DBT, ICAR (ASRB-NET) etc. as per their specialization.

Biotechnology Industries in India:

Biotechnology began in 1980s in India and has focused on large domestic or multinational firms, companies, recently.  In 1986, the Government of India has established the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) within the Ministry of Science and Technology to take care of Biotechnological and allied researches in favor of Humanity. About 2000 firms and laboratories have projected with the value of $3.88 trillion by 2030 globally and India as well for carrying out the higher researches and more productivity on Industrial scale in different sectors with multi-folds dimensions. Such expansion and government policies definitely promising the vast career opportunities for the youth in higher researches and academics. The Indian biotech industry has recorded exponential growth in employments like as; estimated researches 55%, technical/services 30% management 15% in the Industrial sectors and commercial laboratories for making more versality in Biotechnology career prospects.

Number of companies have entered the various domains of research and Industrial sectors along with some foreign collaborations, having the tremendous job opportunities with healthy package in current scenario when Government sector becomes saturated due to various factors.  Biotechnology companies are not only using innovative technologies but also applying most promising approaches for enhancing the productivity in biotech-based areas such as crop improvements, seed technology, Transgenic plants, quality and quantity of food, health care industry, forensic science etc. On account of industrial applications like enzymes industry, fermentation & bio-chemicals, manufacturing of drugs, vaccines, solvents, dairy industry, biofuels, degradation of pollutants, bioremediation, Biofertilizers etc. Several private industries like as pharmaceuticals, breweries, sugarcane industry and science foundations are working in core and allied fields such as drug development, improved products and processes, new breeds, tissue culture, bio-pesticides, biofertilizers, hybrid crops and solvent production etc. Financial institutions, NABARD, IDBI, and IFCI have shaken their hands together to facilitate technology transfer and financial assistance for new start-up for the youth. The Central Government initiatives along with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) have also very useful to support biotechnology industries further with various rebate on import of raw material, machinery and monitory support to the organizations.

Biotech Consortium India Ltd. is a prime mover in supporting and promoting PG and UG Student’s Projects in various sectors of Biotechnology including consultancy and preparation of feasibility reports. With the initiative of establishment of Biotech Parks in various states, engagement of consultants, firms, scientists and entrepreneurs is likely to come up in a big way through bio-industrialization for product promotion, export and revenue generations. The phenomenal growth of the biotechnology industry has also led to a number of high paying opportunities in forth coming future.

 

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