POST COVID 19: BIOTECHNOLOGY AS AN EMERGING CAREER

When one thinks of Biotechnology, the image of a scientist wearing a white coat with a test tube in his/her hand and deeply engaged in research work comes to one’s mind. Biotechnology doesn’t include only this but it is something much more. Post-Covid 19 pandemic, government has understood the significance of Biotechnology. Therefore many more career options are going to come up for the budding science students. Let us first understand what Biotechnology is, before we explore its immense scope.

Biotechnology is a highly interdisciplinary field that combines biological sciences with engineering technologies to utilize the living organisms and biological systems to produce useful products and services for mankind. Broadly, Biotechnology includes the studies of Microbiology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Genetic engineering, Bioinformatics, Enzymology, Nutrition etc. The application of Biotechnology includes understanding of occurrence and treatment of diseases, agriculture management, protection of the environment, production of food, drugs etc. In the current scenario, at various laboratories throughout the world the development of vaccine is done under the umbrella of Biotechnology. 

Biotechnology offers plethora of career opportunities globally. It enhances the skill level of students to the extent that helps them to explore better career prospects. At Career College Bhopal, in addition to prescribed curriculum it exposes the students to other activities like industrial visits, hands-on-trainings, workshops, seminars, conferences, certificate programs, educational tours etc., to ensure holistic development of students who are ready to be employable in the Biotechnology industry. Students are also engaged in activities like oral/poster presentation, projects, street plays, competitions like debate, drawing, poem, research writings etc. which help in enhancing their skills of leadership, communication, problem solving and many more. All this helps them to stand in the front line.

Career options: 

· Drug and pharmaceutical research

· Medicine

· Bio-processing industries

· Forensics

· Nutrition

· Quality assurance/regulatory affairs

· Manufacturing

· Clinical research

· Waste management

· Public funded laboratories

· Health Care

· Energy

· Food processing

· Research and development

· Government (policymaking)

· Business management

· Project management

· Environment management

· Sales and technical support

· Bio-manufacturing 

· Bio-production 

Roles:

· Medical scientists

· Biological technicians 

· Medical and Clinical Lab Technologists & Technicians 

· Biochemists

· Biophysicists 

· Genetic Counsellors

· Biomedical Engineers 

· Academicians

· Microbiologists 

· Epidemiologists 

· Process Development Scientists 

· Specialists 

· Operator

· Entrepreneur

Skills Required:

· Complex problem solving

· Team work 

· Communication skills

· Investigative mind

· Entrepreneurial spirit

· Innovative thinking

· Analytical skills

· Adapt to change

· Management skills 

· Patience

· Ability to handle pressure 

Major Industries and Companies hiring students of Biotechnology in India:

· Pharmaceutical and chemical companies 

o Biocon

o Ranbaxy

o Lupin

o Serum Institute of India

o Panacea Biotech Ltd

o Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited

o Wockhardt

o GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited

o Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited

o Novozymes

· Research institutions 

o The Government of India National Biotechnology Board (NBTB) 

o The Department of Science and Technology (DST)

o Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) 

o Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR)

o Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) 

o Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) 

o Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO) 

o Indian Institute of Science (IISC) 

o Biotechnology Consortium of India Ltd (BCIL)

· Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Companies

o Medgenome

o Strand Life Sciences

o Eurofins Clinical Genetics

o Lilac Insights

o Gen Tech

o Sandor Lofe Sciences

o iGenomix

o Cytogene

o Redcliffe Lifesciences 

o S N GeneLab

· Universities 

o Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee

o Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

o Jawaharlal Nehru University

o Banaras Hindu University

o Barkatullah University

o University of Hyderabad

o Calcutta University

o Anna University, Chennai

o Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

o Rani Durgavati University

· Hospitals

o All India Institute of Medical Sciences

o Fortis Hospital 

o Lilavati Hospital

o Tata Memorial Hospital 

o Indraprastha Apollo Hospital

o Kokilaben Hospital

o Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital

o Bhopal Memorial Hospital​ And Research Centre​

o Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER)

o GCS Medical College Hospital & Research Center

· Agriculture and Crop Production Companies

o KRBL Limited

o Rallies India Limited

o Nuziveedu Seeds Limited

o Lemken India Agro Equipments Private Limited

o Monsanto India

o National Agro Industry

o Godrej Agrovet Limited

o Poabs Organic Estates

o Rasi Seeds

o Advanta Limited

· Food and Beverages Manufacturers

o Parle Agro

o Nestle India

o Britannia Industries Limited 

o Sanchi

o Hindustan Unilever

o Kissan

o Coca-cola

o Pepsico India

o Hershey’s

o Godrej Beverages & Foods

Conclusion:

Now it is clearly evident that with many exciting discoveries to make and new problems to solve, Biotechnology professionals can make a difference in the lives of others in many ways. The career opportunities I have discussed here are just a few examples from the big basket of Biotechnology. If you choose this subject right from your graduate level, you are definitely going to be benefited. There is a great demand of Biotechnology the world over. Undoubtedly this is the future of next generation.

Dr. Preeti Chandurkar

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biotechnology and Biochemistry

Career College, Bhopal