Biotechnology employs the use of microorganisms like bacteria and yeasts and biological substances like enzymes in various industrial and manufacturing processes. Generally,
Biotechnology has applications in agriculture, food science, and
medicine. These various applications
include:
Use in drugs, synthetic hormone, and bulk foods
Use in the conversion of organic waste
Use of some genetically altered bacterial forms in cleaning up oil spills. Bioinformatics or computational biology deals with biological problems with computational techniques. It is used in areas like functional genomics, structural genomics, proteomics and others. It is vital in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical worlds.
Specific Applications of Biotechnology One strain of biotechnology is geared toward the use of organisms for manufacturing organic produces like beer, milk, and beauty supplies. Bioleaching in the mining industry is enabled by the presence of naturally occurring bacteria. In terms of waste, biotechnology is also employed in the recycling, treatment, and clean up of waste in industrially contaminated sites. Biological weaponry is a controversial use of the field of biotechnology. Branches of biotechnology that don't employ the use of living organisms include DNA micro arrays in genetics and radioactive tracers in medicine.
In medicine, E.coli and yeast have been altered genetically to produce substances like insulin and various antibiotics. The development of
plant-based pharmaceutics is a new biotechnology application. Another controversial application has to do with the alteration of mammalian and plant cells for use in pharmaceuticals.
Jobs in the Biotechnology Field
Careers in biotechnology are wide and varied. Research and development jobs include work as a laboratory assistant, plant breeder, glass washer, and media prep assistant. Quality control jobs vary from engineering to auditing to
analysis. There are jobs in clinical research (biostatistics, data study, writing, animal handling), manufacturing and production (operating, engineering, analysis), regulatory affairs, information systems (customer and technical services, systems analysis, library assisting), and administration
This abstract was checked by WhiteSmoke Solution. Learn more
More abstracts about the BIOTECHNOLGY AS A CAREER?