YUVTHA- CAREER

YUVTHA SPECIAL- CAREER OPTIONS

Biotechnology (Related Courses)

Biotechnology is one of the most exciting new sciences of this century! The discovery that DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the carrier of the genetic code for any form of life, can be transferred into any other form of life opens the door to a multitude of possibilities for genetically modified plants, animals, and microbes not found on earth-until now. Researchers in agriculture, biology, genetics, and medicine are at the forefront of new biotechnology discoveries. These men and women are working to unravel the genetic codes that govern the biological processes of different forms of life so they can be understood and, when appropriate, modified.

Requisite Qualification

The B.Sc course is of 3 years duration. The M.Sc programme is of 2 years duration. The B.Tech. course is of four years duration and five year for integrated M.Tech. programme offered at IIT Delhi and Kharagpur.

• • Short term Training Courses;
• • M.Sc/M.Tech./Post Doc.Programmes;
• • National and Overseas Associate ships;
• • Visiting Scientist from Abroad Programme;
• • Short-term Training Course for Industrial personnel
• • Technician Training
• • Biotechnology teaching/training programme for school
• • Biotechnology Publications
• • Popular lectures
• • Biotechnology films etc.

Scope

Life science researchers may work in an academic environment, such as a university, or for a company or a government agency. They may focus their work on animals, bacteria, humans, plants, viruses, or any other life form in which they have a special interest. The discoveries made in government, university, or corporate laboratories are the first steps toward genetically engineered products or processes like new vaccines, drugs, or plant varieties. Human insulin for the treatment of diabetes, one of the first genetically engineered products to become commercially available, was marketed in 1982. Since then, biotechnologists have been working to develop new ways for health care professionals to detect and fight disease. Biotechnologists are working to identify and locate where defects occur in genes that are related to hereditary diseases. Once the correct genetic code is known, health care professionals hope, in the future, to be able to replace the missing or defective genes to make the individual healthy. Currently, prospective parents can be screened for such genetic defects and counseled about the likelihood of their children being affected. Fetuses are being screened for genetic disorders before they are born and, again, genetic counselors play an important role in informing parents concerning the test results. Genetic counselors prepare parents for the birth and early medical treatment of a child with a genetic disorder. Veterinarians and professionals in animal science are using biotechnology discoveries to improve animal health and production. Genetically engineered vaccines, monoclonal antibody technology, and growth hormones are three developments that are making this possible. Questions concerning food safety, economic impacts, and animal health issues have been raised by those opposing the use of growth hormones and have made their use controversial. Farmers and other agricultural professionals are being faced with decisions about the use of biotechnology products in their operations. Scientists are exploring the genetic modification of food crops to achieve desirable characteristics like high yield, increased protein or oil production, disease resistance, or pest resistance. Biotechnology has provided law enforcement professionals with another way of placing a suspect at the scene of a crime. This area of study, called forensic biotechnology, uses a method called DNA fingerprinting. This method is based on the fact that each individual's DNA is highly unlikely to be identical to any other person's DNA (unless he or she has an identical twin). By examining traces of tissue, hair, tooth pulp, blood, or other body fluids left at the scene of a crime, a suspect can be linked to a crime location with great accuracy. After a biotechnology product has been approved for use, many people are needed to manufacture it. Individuals are needed to manage and direct the manufacturing process, to ensure quality control, and to engineer the systems needed to manufacture the product. A biotechnology company offers many of the same career opportunities as any other manufacturing business. However, in addition to specific skills in engineering, scale-up, quality control, and other manufacturing processes, individuals employed in the biotechnology industry will need a solid background in the biological sciences. There are many jobs related to biotechnology that are held by people without extensive science or engineering expertise. These individuals must understand the science of biotechnology, but their primary talent may be in communications or some other area. Regulatory officials develop the guidelines for biotechnology research and the development of new products and processes. They work with company, government, or university researchers to review proposed research plans and assess the safety of resulting products. Regulatory officials must approve biotechnology research plans before they can be done and biotechnology products before they can be marketed. Individuals involved with the regulation of biotechnology research and products generally work for a federal or state government agency. Public relations people provide understandable information to the general public about new biotechnology products and processes. They translate complex scientific information about new discoveries for nonscientists. Sales people work with the dealers and distributors of biotechnology products. They have expertise in marketing skills and are knowledgeable about the products. Patent lawyers who specialize in biotechnology help scientists, companies, or universities protect their legal rights to new discoveries. A biotech enthusiast has ample opportunities to choose from. Join this exciting field of biotechnology and welcome to the "biological revolution''.

Remuneration

The amount of remuneration depends on academic qualification, institute or university from which the degree is obtained and the level of work experience. In the private sector, fresh IIT candidates may get anything in the range of Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 85,000 as annual income and fresh B.Sc./B. Tech. graduates from other universities may get anything in the range of Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 70,000 as annual income. Those working in the research institutes can expect a salary around Rs. 60,000 as annual income.