Biotechnology is a wide-ranging industry that involves using living organisms, such as bacteria and yeasts, to create products like medicines, food ingredients, biofuels, and much more. The field has increased in recent years because it promises new ways to produce goods with less pollution and greater efficiency than traditional methods have been able to offer.
1. What Are the Responsibilities of a Biotechnologist?
Job duties for biotechnology careers can also vary greatly depending on the job. However, in general, these professionals are responsible for tasks such as:
- In a laboratory, chemicals are synthesized.
- Conduct research and submit it to the industry to assess the effects of chemicals in everyday life.
- Supervising large-scale projects
- Upkeep of laboratory equipment
- Create project development reports.
2. What Are the Skills and Abilities a Biotechnologist Must Have?
A biotechnologist is a scientist who uses biology to engineer products and processes. They must have a strong background in both biology and chemistry, as well as some engineering skills. In addition, they must work independently and as part of a team. Some skills are mentioned below;
Management Abilities- The Six Sigma process is one of the essential management skills to develop a consistent working process. Six sigma is concerned with the development, maintenance, improvement, and control of a process.
Research Ability- As a result, the most important technical skill in Biotechnology is your research ability, which allows you to advance rapidly in the field. One of the biotechnology’s most critical technical skills is strong scientific research ability and a keen interest in biotechnology.
Production Ability- Strong knowledge of the manufacturing process and familiarity with lab equipment is biotechnology’s third most crucial technical skill.
Analytics Ability- Biotechnology is a field that seeks to improve people’s lives by utilizing cell and biological processes to generate new ideas. As a result, analytical skills are among the most important technical skills in Biotechnology, bringing about the changes above.
Problem Solving Ability- There will be pressure in all occupations, and research life, without a doubt, has its struggles and stress. As a result, problem-solving abilities are essential in a biotechnology career, and it is critical to hone this technical skill in biotechnology.
Adaptability-To absorbs information quickly in the Biotech field; you’ll need to climb the expectation ladder. Everyone is carrying out various tasks that we must keep in mind. This quality can settle in any environment, quickly encompassing their surroundings and getting the chance to take on the task delegated with no special preparation.
3. What Type of Jobs Is in Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is an industry that deals with the study, design, manufacture, and application of products or processes derived from living organisms, and it typically involves genetic engineering in some way. There are different types of jobs in this field: Laboratory technician, Research Assistant, Research Associate, Scientist, Associate Scientist, Analytical Chemist, Chemist, Research Internship, Laboratory Internship, Research Scientist, etc.
4. How to Land a Good Job in Biotech?
A bachelor’s degree holder can find a variety of entry-level positions. You will need a graduate degree and relevant experience in a specific field.
Your math and statistics abilities are also essential factors to consider. Biotechnology heavily relies on these abilities and software such as Excel, Minitab, JMP, and Design Expert. Finally, experience with advanced lab functions and bioreactors is required for a high-paying job in the pharmaceutical industry. You can combine an educational background with direct work experience for advanced positions in the pharmaceutical industry.
5. Which One Is Better, B. Pharma or Biotechnology?
Both branches are excellent. Pharmacists, also known as chemists or druggists, work in a pharmacy, a branch of health sciences that focuses on the safe and effective use of medications. Pharmacists receive university-level training to learn about drug biochemical mechanisms and actions, drug uses, therapeutic roles, side effects, potential drug interactions, and monitoring parameters.
On the other hand, Biotechnology is the study and application of living systems and organisms to the development or manufacture of products, or “any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use.”
Pharmacists are employed in pharmacies or hospitals. On the other hand, Biotechnologists typically work in R&D labs, research institutes, extensive manufacturing facilities, etc.
6. What Is the Scope of Biotechnology?
The field of biotechnology is constantly expanding and evolving, with new discoveries and breakthroughs being made every day. This makes it a very exciting and rewarding field to work in, as there are always new challenges and opportunities to explore. Biotechnology is used in a wide variety of applications, from developing new medicines and treatments to creating better crops and livestock. It also has many important uses in the fields of environmental protection and conservation. The potential for growth in this field is huge, and it is likely that biotechnology will play an increasingly important role in our lives in the years to come.
7. How Much Can You Earn as Biotectechnitian?
Professionals in biotechnology can work in startups, large established companies, medical labs, or government research institutions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, wage and job growth in this industry consistently outpace the national average. Because it is such a diverse industry, salaries will vary greatly, and your salary will be determined by your education, experience, location, and area of specialization.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following were the average salaries in 2020:
- $46,340 for an entry-level bio technician
- $84,400 for a microbiologist
- $68,830 Agriculture and food scientist
- Scientist in molecular biology $94,270
- $92,620 for a Biomedical Engineer
- Manager of Quality Control Systems: $108,790
- Managers of Natural Sciences: $137,940
- $141,490 Marketing or Business Development Manager
8. What Are the Best Colleges to Pursuing Biotechnology?
The best colleges to pursue biotechnology have various programs, experienced faculty, and ample research opportunities. The college should also offer vital career services so that you can find a job after graduation. The following colleges are some of the best schools for biotechnology:
John Hopkins University
John Hopkins University is a non-profit, private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. The Center for Biotechnology Education at John Hopkins University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various Biotechnology concentrations, with skilled faculty members emphasizing the practical aspects of education.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, Michigan, is home to the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, a public research university. It provides quality education in this field and numerous job opportunities, making it an appealing option for Biotechnology education.
University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a world-class public research institute known for its biotechnology research. It is located in Madison, Wisconsin, as the name suggests. Their Biotechnology Center conducts research in various areas of Molecular Biology and Genetics, offering students numerous opportunities through workshops and outreach programs.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (abbreviated Penn or UPenn) is a private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Penn Biotechnology courses include Biopharmaceutical Engineering, Life Science Management, Biochemistry, and many others.
Purdue University
Purdue is a research institute famous for biological engineering degrees offered through the Colleges of Science, Technology, Agriculture, and Pharmacy. Their research focuses on the field of biotechnology field and its related concentrations, with extensive emphasis on biomaterials, edible vaccines, and DNA-based forensic studies.
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia (UGA), located in Athens, is a public research university established in 1785. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,951, is located in the city, and is 767 acres in size. The Department of Genetics administers their Biotechnology Program in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
Boston University
Boston University (commonly referred to as BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. BU also offers a joint BA/MA program in Biotechnology that is great for students who want to complete both degrees in a short period.
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is a public research university in Kingston, Rhode Island. Their biotechnology program prepares students for careers in top research institutes and medical industries by training them in various areas.
Northwestern University
In Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern University is a private research university, and the McCormick School of Engineering offers a Biotechnology program.
Columbia University
Columbia University in New York offers a Master of Arts in Biotechnology degree. This program educates students on contemporary aspects of molecular biology, focusing on methods used in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
9. What Are the Best Online Courses for Biotechnology?
The online courses for biotechnology are vast and varied, making it difficult to choose the best one. There are some online courses list are given below;
Genomics: Decoding the Universal Language of Life by Coursera-
In this course, you will learn how scientists decipher genome language to develop sustainable food and fuel supplies, improve disease treatment and prevention, and protect our environment.
Data Management for Clinical Research by Coursera-
This course introduces critical concepts and practical methods for clinical research data planning, collection, storage, and dissemination. Besides knowing how to use a web browser, this course assumes very little current knowledge of technology. They will focus on practical lessons, short quizzes, and hands-on exercises.
Algae Biotechnology by Coursera-
This course will examine algae biotechnology research and tools and how synthetic biology, genetic engineering, and metabolic engineering are used in algae biotechnology.
Cisco SD-WAN (Viptela) with Lab Access by Udemy-
This course covers Cisco Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN), an overlay architecture that addresses the significant shortcomings of traditional WAN. Students will be able to deploy a Cisco SD-WAN over any transport (MPLS, Broadband, LTE, VSAT, etc.) and provide enterprise management, policy control, and application visibility.
The Beginners Course for Clinical Research by Udemy-
This course will teach you the fundamentals of clinical research concisely. You will learn about Good Clinical Practices and how it affects country-specific regulations, the drug development process, the phases of clinical research and post-marketing research, who is responsible for clinical trials, and what qualifications, background, training, and experience a clinical research professional should have.
Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) for Clinical Research by Udemy-
This training course will help professionals, whether currently active in clinical research or planning to be involved. The learners will receive information regarding crucial elements such as informed consent, investigational products handling, safety reporting, and trial-specific documentation, including data integrity key principles.
R Programming Hands-on Specialization For Data Science (Lv1) by Udemy-
The course will begin with the fundamentals of introducing Data Science and the significance of R and will then gradually build your concepts. This course will also entail gathering, cleansing, munging, and analyzing data with R’sR’s statistical and visualization capabilities.
The Science and Business of Biotechnology by EDX-
This course will cover recombinant therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, cancer immunotherapies, replacement cells, and genetically engineered cells, as well as nucleic acid and gene therapies.
DNA: Biology’sBiology’s Genetic Code by EDX-
DNA encodes genetic information and is passed on within cells to sustain life and produce the next generation. The course uses video lectures, research articles, case studies, and molecular models to convey information.
Molecular Biology – Part 1: DNA Replication and Repair
The problems in this course have been designed to help you improve your experimental design and data analysis skills.
10. What Are the Top Biotech Companies in the USA?
Some of these firms conduct biopharmaceutical research to advance drug innovation, development, and commercialization in areas with high unmet medical needs. Other biotech firms provide genomics and proteomics services and laboratory supplies, chemicals, and instruments. The following is a list of the top biotech companies in the United States, ranked by market capitalization.
Amgen Inc.
Amgen Inc., formerly known as Applied Molecular Genetics (Amgen), is a multinational biotech company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. It was founded to develop innovative drugs that address unmet medical needs, and it is the world leader in biopharmaceuticals.
Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. was founded in California to become one of the top biotech companies in the United States. Gilead is a biopharmaceutical company that researches, develops, and commercializes innovative medicines, primarily for HIV/AIDS, liver diseases (hepatitis B and C), cancer, inflammatory and respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular conditions.
Celgene Corporation
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is a competitor in the American biotechnology and biopharmaceutical sectors. Since then, the company has been working to discover and develop cancer and inflammatory disorders medicines.
Biogen Inc.
Biogen Inc., formerly Biogen Idec, is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company specializes in developing and distributing therapies to treat neurological, hematological, and autoimmune disorders.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in Boston, Massachusetts, as a biopharmaceutical company. They have two research facilities in California, USA, and Oxford, England. Vertex was one of the first biotech companies to implement a rational drug design strategy.
Illumina, Inc.
Illumina, Inc. was founded in San Diego, California. It is one of the largest biotechnology companies globally, specializing in developing integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and biological function using sequencing and array-based techniques. Its customers are:
- Academic institutions.
- Genomic research centers.
- Hospitals and clinical research organizations.
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies.
- Reference laboratories.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Eastview, New York, is a biopharmaceutical company. The company has also developed a suite of patented technologies (VelociSuite) for genetic research, determining therapeutic intervention targets, and producing fully human monoclonal antibodies against tumor and viral antigens.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals
Alexion was established in Boston, Massachusetts. This biotechnology firm also studies autoimmune disorders and concentrates on the core therapeutic areas of hematology, nephrology, neurology, and rare metabolic and genetic disorders.
BioMarin Pharmaceuticals
BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc. has Asia, Europe, and South America facilities. BioMarin is involved in developing and commercializing novel biopharmaceuticals for rare diseases caused by genetic mutations. The firm specializes in enzyme replacement therapies.
Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies was founded as a public research, development, and manufacturing company. Based in Santa Clara, California, the company offers laboratory supplies and instruments and services, software, and consumables. Their areas of expertise include:
- Food safety.
- Environmental and forensics.
- Pharmaceutical (drug discovery and development).
- Diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Chemical and energy (alternative energy).
- Research (cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’sAlzheimer’s, Parkinson’sParkinson’s, autism, and other ailments).
Conclusion
Biotech is a promising career path because it offers opportunities to work in various industries and specializations, with good salaries and job growth. A graduate degree is often required for high-paying jobs, but many entry-level positions are available for those with a bachelor’s degree. The field heavily relies on math and statistics abilities and experience with advanced lab functions and bioreactors. So if you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding career, biotechnology may be the right choice for you.
