BIOTECHNOLOGY AS A CAREER

BY DR. MONIDIPA GHOSH,

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR,

DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (DURGAPUR)

DURGAPUR, 18 APRIL 2023:

 Biotechnology: What is this term exactly?

Biotechnology is an inter-disciplinary field integrating concepts of medicine and health

science, environmental sciences as well as material science. The study of biology and

technology are combined in this discipline. Biotechnology is a rather new field of biological

sciences which will of immense significance in upcoming days. In industries for

development of vaccines or purification of biopharmaceutical to production of hybrid seeds,

biotechnology has been proven as an essential tool. So, the field's scope broadens to include a

variety of fields such as virology, immunology, cell biology, plant physiology, health,

agriculture, material science etc. Biotechnology has so many uses that practically every

business will soon be utilizing this technology. A few of the ground-breaking advancements

in biotechnology are bioremediation, which manipulates bacteria to clean rivers using PTAse

enzyme to break down plastics followed by genetic engineering and cloning to produce

recombinant proteins in larger scale . In terms of the global pandemic, it has pushed biotech

development and use in the hopes that it may produce fresh remedies for pressing global

issues like disease, food shortages, and environmental degradation.

 In recent years, how has the biotechnology industry changed? Why Biotechnology Is

Expected To Have a Big Future

 

One of the 50 highest paid college degrees at the moment is biotechnology. Alumni of this

programme have a range of organizations to select from, including Infosys Ltd, Cognizant

Technology Solutions Corp., Accenture Technology, HCL Technology, TCS, Novozymes,

Biocon, Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech and many others. By the end of 2025, it is

anticipated that India's biotechnology sector would have doubled in size, growing from 63

billion to 150 billion dollars. There will likely be a need to fill many of those roles when

workers retire or change occupations, which will increase the number of openings. The

industry consists of about 5,000 biotech businesses, 4,240 of which are new companies and

760 of which are center biotech companies. By 2024, it is anticipated that 10,000 new

companies will have been established. The number of startups in Biotech is estimated to

touch the mark of 10,000 by 2024. India has 665 FDA-supported facilities in the US, 44% of

all restricted new drug applications (ANDA), and more than 1,400 manufacturing facilities

that meet WHO standards. The country is also the second-largest producer of BT cotton in

the world and the third-largest producer of recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine (hereditarily

adjusted bug safe plant cotton). India’s biotechnology sector expanded significantly between

2015 and 2020, increasing by US$ 30.2 billion to US$ 70.2 billion per five years. Although

remaining at US$ 63 billion as of 2019, the Indian biotechnology sector is anticipated to

reach US$ 150 billion by 2025. The Indian biotechnology sector is expected to contribute

19% of the global biotechnology market by 2025. Biopharmaceuticals will make up the

largest segment of the Indian biotechnology industry in 2020, with a 62% offer. By 2025, the

Indian biologics market is anticipated to reach $12 billion, growing at a 22% CAGR.

 

 ENTRANCE EXAMS FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY COURSE

1. Undergraduate courses (UG):

B.Sc. in Biotechnology: Some Institutions may occasionally administer examinations for

entry as of other colleges consider results from national or state-level board exams. In some

circumstances, only the marks from the 12th grade are taken into account.

1. Tech in Biotechnology For admission to B.Tech. courses, the majority of colleges require

a score of JEE main or a state level entrance exam. JEE Advanced score for IITs and JEE

main for NITs are the pre-requisites of the entrance. Some reputed private universities of

India provides B.Tech in Biotechnology, organizing their independent entrance test across the

country.

 

2. Post-graduate courses (PG):

M.Sc. in Biotechnology:  IIT-JAM is an entrance exam organized by IITs can be undertaken

for M.Sc. courses in IITs and NITs. Apart from this, BHU-PET for Banaras Hindu University

for access to Plant and Environmental Biotechnology Programme (BHU considers exams

conducted by JNU for other Biotechnology programmes), DUET for Delhi University,

JNUEE for Jawaharlal Nehru University, entrance test organized for M.sc programme by

Calcutta University etc can provide access to M.Sc. programme in top tier universities.

Besides Graduate Aptitude Test in Biotechnology (GAT-B) provides M.Sc. courses in

numerous institutions like Pune University etc.

1. Tech. in Biotechnology: GATE exams provide an entry into M. Tech. programme of

various institutions including IITs and NITs. For graduates in technical fields, the Indian

Institute of Science and IITs administer the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering).

 

 

 TOP UNIVERSITIES FOR BACHELORS/MASTERS BIOTECHNOLOGY COURSES

ACCORDING TO QS RANKING

Some top Indian Institutions for courses Bachelors/Masters course in Biotechnology includes,

Indian Institute of Science, IITs, Banaras Hindu University, Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru

University, All India Institute of Medical Science, Manipal University etc.

 PROSPECTUS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE FUTURE

The biotechnology course's focus is rather broad. After completing studies at the top

biotechnology institution in India, one will have a wide choice of options to advance his/her

career. Moreover, maintaining a strong foundation of knowledge and abilities might help the

students advance professionally. For individuals who are eager to work with new

technologies, a degree from the top college for B.Tech. in biotechnology will help them land

on some recognized and prominent positions. Any sector of employment is open for such

professionals both the public and private sectors. The scope of the biotechnology course is

very promising. You can improve your prospects for a future career by selecting the industry

that best fits your interests and skill set.

The top positions with enormous career potential in biotechnology are listed below.:

In addition, students with degrees in Biotechnology can also seek prominent career positions

in prestigious government undertakings. Some of these include:

 

 Department of Biotechnology

 Department of Science and Technology

 Indian Institute of Science

 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

 Indian Council for Medical Research

 Department of Atomic Energy

 Indian Council for Agricultural Research

 Defense Research Development Organization etc.