Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. What is biotechnology
3. Applications of biotechnology
4. Some examples of modern biotechnology
5. What is the modern biotechnology course
6. Scope of biotechnology
7. Biotechnology salary in India
8. Conclusion

At its simplest, biotechnology is a science-driven sector that leverages living organisms to develop products and space-aged technologies that work toward healing the world and extending the human lifespan. Modern biotechnology involves the study of living organisms at the molecular level, improvises healthcare products to combat life-threatening diseases and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

The biotechnology industry in India is growing splendidly. In less than five years, the market size has jumped from US$ 30.2 billion to US$ 70.2 billion. Experts predict revenue of US$ 150 billion at a CAGR of 22% by 2025. A government initiative in 2020 developed a technology to weed out the COVID-19 virus with 99% efficiency. With the current scenario, India ranks among the top 12 preferred biotech destinations worldwide and is third in Asia.

With a shining bright future and a platter of opportunities awaiting you, walking through the lucrative platform is a pressing priority. 

What is Biotechnology?

The widespread application of biotechnology is famously beneficial in the pharmaceutical and medicine field. However, the breakthrough technology can make advancements in various other fields. The history of biotechnology goes back to approximately 6000 years ago when human beings tapped the biological space to make alcoholic beverages, bread, cheese and more. It is extensively practised in other areas, such as genomics and producing biofuels and food.

Abbreviated to biotech, the area of biology leverages techniques and organisms to manufacture products, reduce environmental footprint, combat diseases and efficiently use natural resources. In a broad sense, modern biotechnology overlaps with bionics, molecular biology, genetic engineering, nanotechnology and bioengineering. The application of animal and health, environment and agriculture can result in a major transformation. The biotechnology transition has fuelled our lives with high-calibre quality in every way and is expected to create a revolutionary change in the next decade. The technology-based biology can transform medicine greatly by understanding genes and their interaction in-depth.

Applications of Biotechnology

Biotechnology research has evolved tremendously to create products for overall betterment. Biotechnology has recently played a crucial role in curbing the COVID-19 global pandemic. Besides this, biological applications can contribute to many more fields.

1. Biotechnology in food

The combination of biology and technology works toward the modification and production of enzymes in the food industry. Some avant-grade techniques have brought in major changes in response to consumer requirements, low-calorie count and fusion of natural ingredients and additives. The application of biotechnology plays a role in food preservation, production and processing. For instance, infuses nutrients into food products and makes them a healthy option. The overall approach of biotechnology in food is to enhance the taste, improve the food nutrient and lengthen the shell life.

2.Biotechnology in medicine

Medical biotechnology uses living cells to research, diagnose and thereby produce pharma products. The application of biotechnology can broadly be used in drug development, gene testing, genetic disorders, immunity, gene therapy, newborn screening, gene therapy, sex determination and more. The field has opened the floodgates for advanced treatments, improved medicines and also prevention of diseases. Human health has forever been a primary concern, and biotechnology plays a dynamic role in mitigating all the obstacles with value-added outcomes.

3. Biotechnology in agriculture

Also known as agritech, agricultural biotechnology involves a range of techniques and tools to develop microorganisms, modify products and alter living organisms for a specific agricultural purpose. Modern biotechnology propounds a reassuring replacement for synthetic foods and advanced plant breeding technologies. The technology ticks the undisputed demand for sustainable agriculture with environmentally responsible solutions. With all due credit to agricultural biotechnology, farmers can now obtain maximum yield with the basic use of chemical fertilisers.

4. Biotechnology in environment

The main purpose of environmental biotechnology is to restore and protect the quality of the environment. The application aims at resolving all environmental issues such as pollution, toxic gases, biomass production, renewable energy, contaminated water and soils. Environmental biotechnology can significantly treat the harmful gases effused from industrial units. It can also purify wastewater, work on sediment clean up and manage solid waste. Therefore, biotechnology plays a crucial role in bracing the environment with its clean-up, waste management and improving methane recovery from landfills. Biotechnology plays a dominant role in producing organic fertilisers, thereby indulging in sustainable agriculture. 

Some examples of modern biotechnology

• The pharma industry leverages biotechnology to comprehend human DNA, establish vaccines and reduce the rate of infectious diseases. The technology has changed the odds of life-threatening conditions by creating precise tools and enforcing tailored treatment.
• Biotech is helping fuel the world by harnessing biocatalysts, reducing chemical emissions and streamlining chemical manufacturing. Biofuels can cut greenhouse emissions by more than 50%.
• Biotech is feeding the world by expediting environmentally sustainable practices. The technology enhances crop insect resistance and herbicide tolerance.
• Crops and plants are propagated to handle extreme weather conditions and external stress.
• Biofuels aid in churning out food items free from toxins and allergens. Also, it can improve overall cardiovascular health by curtailing the oil content.
• Biotechnology has also developed crops with emphasised nutrition to meet vitamin deficiencies.

What is the biotechnology course?

Once upon a time, biotechnology wasn’t among the most popular career options. However, tables have turned, and it has now popped up as a promising career. The revolutionary field has perked the medical, health, food, environment and every other sector. With the imposing benefits, the biotechnology field also offers a number of branches of expertise. Biotechnology subjects embrace virology, food process technology, drug delivery, ecology, solid waste management, genetics, biochemistry, molecular therapeutics, quality management and clinical microbiology. Practical knowledge and a unique curriculum are the cornerstones of a successful biotechnology career. The interdisciplinary branch offers virtuosity in its respective fields.

• Food technology
• Microbiology
• Biomedical engineering
• Food technology
• Biochemistry
• Genetic technology
• Advanced Healthcare
• Bio-processing management
• Forensic science
• Food and agriculture sustainability
• Nutrition
• Stem cell industry
• Bioremediation 

Scope of biotechnology

Here comes some good news for all the biotechnology alumni, there are multiple opportunities in store for you. So spread the love as much as you can. Owning to the immense scope, it would only be correct to tag the biotechnology career as productive and remunerative. An evolution in technology and science has given birth to new subfields in the biotechnology space. Some of the major areas for a biotechnology graduate include:

• Biochemist
• Genetic engineer
• Healthcare
• Medicine
• Soil biologist
• Environmental biotechnologist
• Pharmaceutical biotechnologist
• R&D scientist
• Biomanufacturing specialist
• Forensic science technician
• Epidemiologist
• Biophysicist

Biotechnology has spread its wings exclusively, making it indispensable even in unconventional industries like cosmetology, textile industry, legal advisory, animal husbandry, sales and more. The vast scope of biotechnology makes it a good-standing career today.

Biotechnology salary in India

India is on its way to being a major hub for the biotechnology industry in the world. The competent field also plays a significant role in shaping the future. Reasons? A boom in the agricultural sector, efficiency in the medicine industry, genetic development, medical transfusion, food sustainability, advanced drug research and bio-processing management. So, no qualms in concluding biotechnology is a vast domain today. The demand and need welcome extensive career aspects in the sphere.

The biotechnology salary in India is variable depending upon several factors like the field, knowledge, practical experience, skills and the post. Biotechnology applicants have a large number of career facets, and therefore the salaries have also doubled. As per the present-day statistics, the biotech industry is growing at a 20% annual rate and is expected to touch a whooping USD 100 billion by 2025. Biotechnologists’ salary in India is also growing effectively with the need for biotech graduates growth. The average salary of a biotechnologist with an entry-level job is likely to be around Rs 4 lakh per annum. By mastering the skill and gaining more experience, a biotechnologist is expected to touch a whooping figure of 20 lakhs per annum.

One Last Thought:

With some spectacular advantages of biotechnology, like reducing environmental footprint, fighting rare diseases like cancer, using less energy, healthy food production and increasing efficiency, the field has now become a survival tool for the future. Today, it is at the forefront of solving some of the greatest challenges humans face.

Specialise in biotechnology with Atria University to comprehend the sophisticated technologies of this interdisciplinary field. The future of a biotechnologist is as bright as a shining star. To make a significant mark in this over-increasing field, it is predominant to enrol yourself in our futuristic course embedded with international standards.