Biotechnology is not a new term; we all come across the phenomenon in our day to day life. The yoghurt, cheese, bread etc are the result of biotechnology. The term biotechnology refers to a mechanism of harnessing the natural chemical process of living organism to our advantage and use.
Biotechnology is the use of microorganic plant and animal cells to produce materials such as food, medicine and chemicals, which can be used by man in his daily life. Yeast a product of biotechnology was first used to brew beer and make wine.
In ancient times, how the process took place was a mystery and Without knowing the mechanism, the process it was used in daily life for producing vinegar, beer or wine. Later, by constant application of mind people discovered the process and termed it as fermentation. Once they found out about the process they started utilizing it to their advantage and made large quantities of limited range of products.
There was an improvisation of the age-old technique and now scientists have invented or modified the natural process and developed new methods, which quickens the process. The modern methods are more reliable and cheaper than the traditional method. Using the traditional method, production of new pharmaceuticals cannot be imagined. The modern techniques paved way to lot of advancement in this field.
A primary aim of modern biotechnology is to make a living cell perform a specific useful task in a predictable and controllable way. The task could be to ferment sugar, to make alcohol, or produce a substance that makes flowers red, or a chemical that will help fight a bacterial infection.
Dr. P Gautam Professor, Anna University opines that Biotechnology is a highly interdisciplinary subject which incorporates elements of biology, maths, physics and chemistry with combination of computers and electronics.
Areas of application
Human health
Penicillin, a life saving drug is the result of biotechnology that is produced naturally by microorganisms. Scientists used to wait for these natural processes to occur but thanks to the latest advancement of technology, with the help of genetic engineering they could make the fermentation process occur using various combinations. Moreover, the process is expedited and large quantities can be produced for commercial uses. Genetic engineering has also helped in inventing vaccines for Hepatitis B, which is otherwise a fatal disease. Varieties of pharmaceutical products are being structured using genetic engineering. Inherited disorders which till now was treated as incurable can be treated with products of biotechnology.
Plant and animal agriculture
Though Genetic Engineering has made improvements in human health there is relatively less growth for Plants and Animals. However, the existing technology helps to improve the nutritional content of plants and produce disease and herbicide resistant crops. Research is being carried out to produce plants that can withstand natural deficiencies which would help utilize the useless land for agriculture.
A micro-propagation technique is a technique where plants are grown from singles cell or from small plant pieces. This can be used in nurseries, which grow identical plants and produce virus free stocks. Animal farmers and consumers also use biotechnology, Genetically engineered animal growth hormone results in production of high yield and quality of animal products. Moreover, some diseases that affect the animals can be treated using genetic engineering.
Food production
As we all know biotechnology is a phenomenon used in our daily life. Bread, cheese, wine, beer, yoghurt, and vinegar are common products of biotechnology, which are now produced using updated methods. Microorganisms such as Vegemite, an extract of yeast can be consumed. Vitamins that uses B2 and B12 can be manufactured more nutritionally and in large quantities by manipulating fermentation techniques.
Waste management
Biotechnology is not only used for consumption purpose. It is also used to dispose of human waste and reduce pollution. Oil and petrol pollution is reduced by unaltered bacteria. Scientists are trying to find ways to reduce pollution caused by pesticides, herbicides and other hazardous chemical wastes.
Fuels
An alternative form of fuel can be produced using biotechnology. This is far less polluting than petrol and is a renewable source of fuel. Research is going on to investigate the use of microbes to produce methane gas from waste materials, and hydrogen gas from water.
These are only a few of the present uses but with the researches going on we can anticipate lots of other utilities using biotechnology which would improve the way of our life and help develop a healthy living.
Courses
There is an option of doing B.Sc. or B.Tech in biotechnology. Most of the courses are combined with Engineering subjects or in the biology course. Some institutes offer B.Tech biotechnology itself. The biological subjects include Biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, Microbiology, bio-informatics etc., and Areas like process dynamics and bioreactor design, fluid mechanics and process technology are covered in Engineering subjects.
The Post graduation in this field can fetch you M.Sc./M.Tech/Ph.D.degrees. Most students prefer to do this course in foreign countries. The latest course in this field is Bio-informatics, a combination of biology and IT. A post graduate degree is desirable because it is the most sought degree in foreign countries. With this PG, you may earn around Rs.15000-30000 p.m. or if employed abroad you can earn in dollars
Eligibility criteria/skills
The minimum requirement for B.Sc., B.Tech, Biotechnology is +2 pass or equivalent with Biology/maths, physics and chemistry. There is an entrance exam for a B.Tech course. The All India Entrance Exam is being conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University at various centres in the country. To succeed in this field you need to have an aptitude to research you should be able to work hard and you need to have a logical and analytical mind.
Careers in biotechnology
Some institutes offer industry-oriented subjects like "Drugs & Pharmaceutical Technology, Aqua-culture and Marine Bio-technology, Animal cell culture, Plant tissue culture," etc, as electives. Therefore, you could join the pharmaceutical industry, fertilizer and chemical companies, especially in the R & D department or the quality control department There are companies like SPIC, Godrej which have a bio-technology division. (B.Tech degree is usually preferred). The starting salary in such divisions are between Rs.4000-6000. A B.Tech biotechnology is preferred to than B.Sc, since it offers a scope to work abroad.
Institutes offering biotechnology courses
B. Tech - Anna University, Centre for Biotechnology, Chennai offers B.Tech in Industrial Biotechnology
- Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, offers 4-year B.Tech in Biochemistry (20 seats).
- Dr B.R. Ambedkar Regional Engineering College, Jalandhar offers 4-years B.Tech in Chemical & Bio-Eng. (30 seats)
- IIT, Kharagpur offers 4 years B.Tech in Biotechnology
B.Sc.( in Tamil Nadu) - Kongunadu Arts and science college, Coimbatore.
- Maharaja College for Women, Perunthurai, Erode.
M.Tech - Anna University, Chennai
- IIT Delhi (Five Year Integrated Bio-chemical, Engineering and Biotechnology).
M.Sc.(in Tamil Nadu) - Maharaja College for Women, Perunthurai, Erode.
- JS College of Arts & Science, Pudukottai.
