#BiotechnologyNext :Phytoremediation: Cleaner in a Greener way

Student contributors: Tanusree Paul & Subhangi Mahapatra (B.Sc. Biotechnology, SEM-VI)

In the race of development, anthropogenic activities result in contaminated soil by the accumulation of heavy metals and pose a threat to human health and the surrounding ecosystem. Certain chemical pollutants remain in the environment for a prolonged period. Several remediation techniques for heavy metals from contaminated soil-water are expensive, time-consuming, and environmentally destructive. In recent years, researchers have developed a promising and innovative technology termed as phytoremediation for remediation of sites with inorganic and organic pollutants. It is a plant-based remediation technology that uses green plants to stabilize and reduce contamination in soil, sludge, sediments, surface water, and groundwater. Phytoremediation plants must possess few specific qualities like (1) high biomass, (2) rapid growth, (3) deep and hairy root system, and (4) high bioaccumulation coefficient. Some plants can grow on soils with high levels of metals and can accumulate massive amounts of the indigenous metals in their tissues; those are termed as “hyperaccumulators”. Phytoremediation technique comprises five different strategies, those are-

  1. Phytoextraction, which removes metals and organics from the soil by accumulating them in the biomass of plants. Example, Indian mustard.
  2. Phytodegradation, which uses plants to uptake, store, and degrades organic pollutants. Example, hybrid poplar
  3. Rhizofiltration, which involves the removal of pollutants from aqueous sources by plant roots. Example, sunflower
  4. Phytostabilization reduces the bioavailability and mobility of pollutants by immobilizing of binding them to the soil matrix. Example- Various species of grass, such as red fescue
  5. Phytovolatilization utilizes green plants to take pollutants from the growth matrix, transform them, and release them into the atmosphere. e.g.- poplar trees.

Factors Affecting the Uptake Mechanisms

The different  factors that can affect a plant’s uptake mechanism of heavy metals are

  • Plant species
  • Properties of medium
  • The root zone
  • Vegetative uptake
  • Bioavailability of the metals
  • Addition of chelating agents

Remediation of Inorganic Contaminants

The remediation of contamination with an inorganic contaminant must either physically remove the contaminant from the system by removing the biomass or convert it into a biologically inert form.

Remediation of organic contaminants

Organic pollutants are xenobiotics to the soil. Soil pollution with organic contaminants is one of the most obstinate environmental problems today. Among the various organic contaminants, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are the most common due to their long-term persistence, bioaccumulation, and high toxicity. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), and pesticides are the most common groups of POPs existing in contaminated soils. They cause significant negative effects on the environment because of their high toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity. One patented process uses a carrot to absorb dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. The carrots are then harvested, solar-dried, and incinerated to abolish the contaminant. Another method for direct extraction of an organic contaminant from the soil by using plants is root accumulation, xylem translocation, and subsequent volatilization from leaf surfaces.

Role of biotechnology in phytoremediation

Phytoremediation is still at an early stage of development. Plant biotechnological approaches have played an important role in phytoremediation. An ideal phytoremediator would be highly tolerant of the pollutants, capable of metal uptake and accumulation, also able to either concentrate or degrade the pollutants in the biomass at high levels. Plants, that can translocate metals from roots to shoots at high rates are more effective hyperaccumulators. Since most of the metal hyperaccumulators have low biomass and are slow-growing,  biotechnology allows transferring hyperaccumulator phenotypes into high biomass, fast-growing plants that can be highly effective in phytoextraction. Excess production of hormones in hyperaccumulators can alter their biomass production. Although the use of biotechnology in the development of the transgenic plant with the improved potentiality for efficient sustainable bioremediation is highly promising. Several researchers devised transgenic plants to reduce some of the constraints of metal phytoremediation, few transgenic plants are developed to tolerate a high level of accumulated cadmium and lead.  Transgenic plants are produced by genetic engineering techniques whose DNA is modified. In the laboratory, genetically engineered plants are produced by altering the genetic-character, usually by adding one or more genes of a plant’s genome. Enhanced gibberellin’s production in the transgenic plant was shown to promote biomass production and growth. Genetic engineering is a powerful method that improves the capabilities of natural phytoremediation, or it introduces new capabilities into plants. For example, genes encoding a nitroreductase from a bacterium were inserted into tobacco resistance to the toxic effects of TNT. Also with the help of biotechnology, it is possible to improve the gene expression for maximum resistance. Certain plants show increased resistance under the presence of certain microbes.

Risk and Benefits 0f Phytoremediation

Benefits

Plant roots stabilize the soil and avoid the movement of contaminants by runoff and windy particles. Contaminants do not spread much via air and water. The method uses plants and natural resources and thus the cost is lower than other processes both in situ and ex situ. This is usually aesthetically pleasing and favored by the public compared to other structures and at the same time, it helps to clean the contaminated site. This technique makes it suitable for restoring agricultural soils affected by scattered industrial emissions. Also, it is an environment friendly method and multiple contaminants can be removed with the same plant. It is also possible to recover and reuse the valuable metals received from the process of phytomining. The plants can be easily monitored. Overall, this method is less harmful because it utilizes naturally occurring organisms and preserves the environment in a more natural state.

Risks

Phytoremediation cannot be used to tackle deep contamination; grasses can clean up to three feet, shrubs up to ten feet, and deep-rooted trees up to 20 feet. The cycle is usually slow and can take between three and five years to meet the planned clean-up goals. The toxicity of the contaminated land and the general condition of the soil may have some adverse effect on the plant. The choice of plants and their compositions is very much at the experimental stage and additional research is required. The method is highly dependent on local climatology and must be based on local criteria. In winter, the phytoremediation system can lose its effectiveness when plant growth slows down or stops. Also, large-scale operations can involve heavy agricultural machinery, which is usually located far from our polluted urban areas. Since wildlife and humans consume plants, measures must be taken to prevent the introduction of pollutants into the food chain. Finally, waste biomass must be disposed of correctly, often at high costs.

 

 

Prospects

Plant biotechnological techniques have indeed performed an important role in the production of transgenic plants with enhanced potential for effective, clean, cheap and sustainable bioremediation technologies, still, many challenges remain such as,

  1. Regulatory constraints may be re-examined regularly to make the use of transgenic for phytoremediation less complicated.
  2. Insufficient information on the complex relationships that occur between the rhizosphere and the processes that are dependent on the ability of plants to absorb and extract metals from the contaminated setting.
  3. Phytoremediation techniques need to be designed with multiple genes stacked to satisfy the requirements of different sites.
  4. The use of transgenic plants in phytoremediation is still in field trials. Biosafety issues need to be adequately addressed and methods need to be established to avoid gene transfer to wild species.

Future of Phytoremediation

The effectiveness of phytoremediation also depends to a large degree on the plant’s ability to withstand the removal of contaminants. It is therefore of the highest concern to assess the maximum possible amount of xenobiotic compounds that can be produced and detoxified without damage, essential stress, and degradation of plant metabolism or redox processes in the organisms under consideration. Phytoremediation researches in the future may involve the elucidation of genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms to highlight how phytoremediation can be improved. PCR amplification and DNA fingerprint or microarray gene chip may provide a further overview of the process and may contribute to the selection of a particular plant variety to be applied to a specific pollutant within a built wetland or soil. The most important challenges and the improvement of phytotechnology efficiency rely on the dissemination of data, risk evaluation, public knowledge and acceptance of this green technology, as well as the advancement of coordination among scientists, industry, stakeholders, end-users, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies. This needs to be tackled to make sure that phytoremediation systems are effectively developed.

 

Adamas University: Through the Eyes of Our Toppers

“Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.”
Tom Peters

Adamas University, a true leader in the field of education, believes in imparting value-based education and creating superior human resources who will steer the country towards the path of development and prosperity. Our former toppers have shared their views on how Adamas University helped them in shaping their life towards a more meaningful and successful life.

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Sharique Zaman, Senior Microbiologist, CIPLA
M.Sc. Biotechnology (2015-2017, Gold Medallist)

“The two years at Adamas University was an unforgettable experience. Its Master’s degree in Biotechnology has helped me more than I could ask for in my professional carrier.
I met aspiring and motivational professors who have always gone extra miles to clear any obstacles from my path. This hard work and dedication of university professors have helped me in achieving a gold medal in biotechnology.
It has greatly bridged the gap between academics and industries that has let me start my carrier as a microbiologist in Biocon and currently I am working with Cipla as a senior microbiologist.
It was a great learning experience at Adamas University.”

Shariq Zaman

Sikta Mukherjee (Research Coordinator, Institute of Pulmocare and Research)
M.Sc. Biotechnology (2016-2018, Gold Medallist)

“A Success studded pathway towards Future – ADAMAS UNIVERSITY”

“Even the strongest ship loses its direction amidst ocean storms without radar. This phrase personifies my own life, which could have been rendered directionless if not guided in the right direction. The radar of my ship was “Adamas University”. After crossing the boundaries of graduation in Biotechnology, I was unaware of my prospect when I managed to get admission to one of the most reputed universities in West Bengal.

In June 2016, I began my new journey with this university. I was admitted in the course of M.Sc in Biotechnology. People say the journey to success is not easy. They are correct, but this difficult journey was made easy and interesting with Adamas University and some exceptional faculty members associated with it. The subject Biotechnology itself demands an amalgamation of several domains- biochemistry, physiology, immunology, bioinformatics, cell biology, Intellectual property rights, bio-processing as well as plant physiology, and many more. Each domain was instilled with such details as never before. If not during the course, these in-depth concepts have certainly played a pivotal role in my career. “A feather on the hat” moment was when I received Chancellor’s Scholarship Award in 2017 for academic excellence as well as being the recipient of University Gold Medal on being the topper throughout my master’s course. This incorporated inevitable confidence in me and made me future-ready. The weekly research presentations have made me confident to face job interviews. I have been successfully imbibed in myself the positive aspects that I have inherited from my eminent faculties of this university.

After completion of my course, I immediately started getting job opportunities from several domains. In my brief career duration, I started as a life science teacher in one of the educational institutes in Kolkata. After a short period, I got the opportunity to be associated with a Research Institute in Kolkata. Presently I am associated as a Research Coordinator in a Research Institute, where my work is based on COPD disease. I have also bagged in a research project base on “Presence of SNP in COPD” recently from ICMR along with my Institute’s collaboration. Today, I always look back to the days when I took a major decision to get admitted to Adamas university for which I never regret. I am thankful for all the eminent personalities I have encountered throughout my journey in Adamas University.

I am and would always be grateful to Adamas University and all my professors for lending me a helping hand in shaping my career and help me fulfill my dreams and achieve every bit of success that I have achieved at present.”

Sikta Mukherjee

Purbasa Maiti (Teacher, St. Xavier’s High School, Howrah)
M.Sc. Microbiology (2017-2019, Gold Medallist) 

“School incorporates discipline in us while we get the taste of freedom in college. However, university inculcates a sense of responsibility and helps us to climb one step higher on the ladder of maturity. I came to this realization as I passed out from Adamas University. After completing graduation from Bhopal, I shifted to Kolkata in the year 2017. I took admission here just to take my knowledge a notch higher, to explore, and to learn many new aspects of it. Moreover, that is exactly what this university helped me to achieve from the very beginning.

Though I was determined to do a master’s degree, still, confusion crossed my thoughts at times and again regarding the selection of my course, but academic counselors of Adamas University helped me to choose the right course.

Finally, I chose Microbiology as my major. Initially, it was a bit challenging for me, as the subject was new, but my professors encouraged and motivated me in every possible way. With their guidance and direction, this subject became less complex and more interesting for me. With their advice, I even got a chance to complete my internship from the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata. Their constant efforts have brought out the best in me. Its library provided me with the best resources and laboratory gave my inquisitive mind a proper exposure.

Apart from academics, Adamas University has given me a platform to explore, experience as well as the proper environment to feed my needs, curiosity, and best development.”

Purbasa Maiti

Immunodiagnostics- An Emerging Opportunity in Biotechnology

Student contributors:

Ananya Chakraborty, Rahul Dutta & Saloni Ghosh (all B. Tech Biotechnology, SEM-VI)

Immunodiagnostics is a technique of detection by using the ability of antibodies to bind to an antigen specifically. This is a very powerful, sensitive, and specific technique to detect a wide range of targets and has applications in the field of infectious diseases and autoimmune disease detection, cancer diagnostics, food safety, environment, etc.
Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is the most common term used in the field of immunodiagnostics and has contributed remarkably in the market grown to tens of billions of dollars (Fig.1.*).

Antibodies are molecules produced by our immune cells against antigens (foreign bodies) and have the property of binding to the antigens in a specific manner. These specific antibodies are easy to identify and we can get indirect proof of the presence of antigens.

A correct diagnosis is a key factor towards a better treatment of any ailment and recent advances in the field of immunodiagnostics have accelerated the treatment procedure. Scientists around the world are working constantly in developing more specific, more sensitive, and more cost-effective procedures of diagnosis.

Types of Immunodiagnostics

Radioimmunoassays (RIA), developed in the 1950s, were the earliest immunoassays and are one of the most sensitive methods that rely on radiolabeling. Nonetheless, their use has been precluded owing to the health risk due to radioactive exposure.

ELISAs replaced RIAs and are one of the most common and reliable diagnostic tools until now. The antigen-binding antibody is linked with an enzyme that gives a color reaction in the presence of a substrate. The market is constantly changing and researchers are developing new methods of immunodiagnostics that are furthermore accurate and cost-effective as discussed below:

Chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIAs) couples immune reaction with chemical reactions that emit a photon (light) that can be easily detected.

Fluorescent immunoassays (FIAs): here antibody-binding antigen is tagged with a fluorescent chemical compound that can re-emit light upon excitation with a particular wavelength of light. Its utility may be further enhanced by the use of flow cytometers.

Lateral flow assays (LFAs) or Lateral Flow Test is a simple diagnostic device to confirm the presence or absence of a pathogen or some other entities that may be present in water, foodstuff, urine, or blood sample. It typically contains a line to confirm the validity of the kit and other line/s to confirm the presence/absence of the analyte. The most common example is the pregnancy test kit. They can be used at home i.e point of care testing and require the least training. They have wide applications in health, food and agriculture, and the environment sector.

Application of Immunodiagnostics

Immunodiagnostics has applications (but not limited to) in the following fields

Immunodiagnostics in oncology

Tumor-associated antigen or antibodies are the primary targets for cancer detection. This is also important in finding tumor relapse. Many cancer markers have been identified which can help in the accurate and early diagnosis of breast cancer, renal neoplasm, oral cancer, pancreatic cancer, and many others. For example, recently OPKO Health Inc. has got the US FDA approval to use microfluidics approaches, for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing to increase the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis and reduce unnecessary biopsies.

Immunodiagnostics in infectious diseases, Allergy, and autoimmune diseases

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the best choice for the detection of an active infection. However, in many cases such as chronic infection (when a parasite goes in the dormant phase), immunoassays are more reliable. One limitation of ELISA is that it has low sensitivity in the case of the low analyte. This has been overcome by the use of IPCR or immuno-PCR which combines the amplification power of PCR and the sensitivity of ELISA. Here the primary immobilized antibody binds with a secondary antibody tagged with a nucleic acid capable of amplification (Fig.2.). Antibody-based approaches are now very helpful in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases and allergic reactions. These methods also reduce the pain of invasive biopsies.

Immunodiagnostics in environmental pollution

The growing concern over environmental pollution and its link to human diseases have warranted the authorities to implement stringent policies. Immunodiagnostic tools have served greatly in this regard by detecting environmental contaminants like Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane(DDT), Pentachlorophenol (PCP), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), organophosphorus pesticides, explosives, biological warfare materials, etc.

Immunodiagnostics in Food Technology

Immunodiagnostics has been widely used to monitor contaminants in different foodstuffs such as pathogenic microorganisms in food, staphylococcal enterotoxin B, melamine, and antibiotics in milk, wheat proteins in milk powder and pesticides in fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Immunodiagnostics in proteomics study

Proteomics deals with the protein profile produced by our cells. Mass spectrometry (MS) has been a useful tool in proteomics research. MS coupled with immunoassay provides extraordinary ability to perform targeted proteome screening. This is called mass spectrometric immunoassays (MSIAs) which is very sensitive and fast and can screen several proteins at a time.  

Next-generation immunodiagnostics 

Rapid advances in the Interdisciplinary field of biomedical instrumentation and immunodiagnostics is enabling us to step towards the next-generation immunodiagnostics. The major revolutionizing forces have been the microfluidics and magnetic beads based immunoassays.

Microfluidic assays

The precise control and manipulation of mass transport of minute quantity of fluids confined in a sub-millimeter space through capillary movement governs the principle to microfluidics and has wide application in physics, chemistry, and biotechnology. It has applications in paper-based immunodiagnostics like portable glucose detection and environmental testing.

Magnetic immunoassays

Magnetic beads are nanosized magnetic particles glued together with polymers that show the properties of superparamagnetism in the presence of an external magnetic field. These beads can be conjugated to antibodies for immunobased assays. These are superiority over ELISA or IFA. Magnetic beads based immunoassays are more sensitive, give no false-positive results, are easy in separation and automation. This makes it the next choice of researchers and clinicians.

Lab-On-a-Chip (LOC)

As the name suggests, this is a compact device of the dimension of a few square millimeters to a few square centimeters that can perform several laboratory functions in a single integrated circuit or chip. They are a part of the microelectromechanical system and involve microfluidics. The ability to handle picolitres of the sample, accurate automation, and high throughput make LOCs the future of diagnosis.

According to the latest research report[1] , the global immunodiagnostics market size was valued at USD 15,777.5 Million in 2017. This is projected to reach USD 22,732.7 Million by the end of 2025 with a CAGR of 4.7%. Increased applications of immunodiagnostics in diverse areas like disease burden, environment pollution, and food safety is attracting huge market and will provide an opportunity to biotechnologists skilled in this field in both R&D and production industries that manufacture diagnostic kits. 

[1]https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/immunodiagnostics-market-100444. accessed on 19th July, 2020.

*All the diagrams are self drawn by the author, Dr. Manoj Kumar Singh using Microsoft Paint 3D software.

Sick Building Syndrome and the Corona Connection

Student contributors: Jinia Sarkar (B.Tech Biotechnology,2nd yr) & Prativa Sarkar (B.Tech Biotechnology,2nd yr)

With the Coronavirus or COVID-19 crisis gripping the world, the safest place is to be inside the comforts of our home. In many houses, social distancing has restricted domestic workers and people have to do household chores on their own. Managing a life where parents have to work from home, cook and clean utensils, manage their kids, elders, and pets and do exercise for their fitness leave little or no time to care for one of the very important issues, i.e. maintaining indoor hygiene.

Indoor environments play an important role in human health. A polluted indoor environment can cause health hazards like allergy, infections, and exposure to toxic chemicals. Certain health issues related to the time spent and conditions of the house where we live is broadly termed as “Sick Building Syndrome”(SBS). Symptoms of SBS are-

  • Irritation of nose, eyes, and skin
  • allergy
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • breathing difficulties

The exact reason for SBS mostly remains unknown. Nevertheless, different biological and nonbiological components may be important contributing factors.

Long periods of lockdown can lead to the accumulation of biotic and abiotic pollutants in the house if not properly tackled.

We are locked down to contain Covid-19, but health hazards, which may arise due to poor hygiene, must not be neglected, and therefore, ensuring that our home is clean is of paramount importance.

Biotic and Abiotic Components of Indoor Pollution

Biotic components of pollution include living organisms like fleas, ticks, mites, and lice that are often carried by pets, fungi, and other microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They can breed in stagnant water that has accumulated in humidifiers, desert coolers, drainages, or where water has collected like inside false ceiling or cracks.

The Abiotic components include smoke, paints, combustion products like carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Adhesives carpeting, manufactured wood products, pesticides, cleaning agents, etc are the main sources of VOC. Synthetic fragrances cleaning used in cleaning products or personal care products, also contribute to the contamination.

Tips to maintain proper hygiene and indoor air quality

  • Proper dusting and sweeping should be regularly done
  • Cross-ventilation across all the rooms is very important by frequently keeping the windows and doors open for sometimes to pass the fresh air.
  • Keep humidity low (~30%) like bacteria, mites, and mold love moisture. A dehumidifier may be used for the purpose.
  • When our bed is not in use we should cover it using a bedspread to avoid any dust particles from accumulating on the bedsheets and pillows.
  • Bedsheets and other covering items should be washed at regular intervals
  • Carpets and rugs should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter.
  • Hard floorings instead of wall-to-wall carpeting may help to reduce the allergens on the floor surface.
  • A good quality air purifier can help in maintaining the quality of air inside the home and eliminates harmful gases
  • Dustbins are one of the dirtiest places, which are likely to attract various pests like cockroaches, and houseflies, which lead to different types of diseases and infections, so it should be cleaned regularly.
  • Minimize the use of room fresheners and perfumes as they may contain harmful volatile organic compounds. Fresh slices of lemon or orange peel may be used for a pleasant aroma
  • Avoiding overuse of incense as they may produce toxic compounds on burning
  • Keep plants outside as the moist soil can harbor different living organisms leading to allergy and infection
  • Home should always be a “smoking free zone” (burning tobacco produces many harmful gases)
  • Use eco-friendly cleaning products like lemon and vinegar
  • And yes, during lockdown period frequently wash your hands with soap and use sanitizer wherever necessary
  • Limited use of gadgets like microwaves, televisions, and computers that emit electromagnetic radiations
  • Maintain Sufficient lighting and allow sunlight to enter your house

Post-COVID- Era: Necessity and Opportunity For Biotech Sector

Shagufta Quazi, B.Sc. Biotechnology, 3rd year, Adamas University

The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, has declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic. The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) named the virus causing the disease as “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2” (SARS-Cov-2). The disease has rapidly spread in 213 countries, infecting more than 2.4 million people and more than 163 thousand people have succumbed to the disease as per WHO data received on 22nd April 2020. In the absence of an effective vaccine, tough decision to lockdown cities and countries for ensuring social distancing is the most effective way to contain the disease in the current scenario. However, this has brought the whole world to a standstill condition. While many sectors are struggling, the Biotech sector remains immune to the economic conditions and leading the fight against COVID-19. The global pandemic has prioritized the need to invest in the field of disease diagnosis and treatment.

Current Indian scenario: A need to thrust R&D in biotechnology

Research is an important part of all pandemics, in which the department of biotechnology will stay as a nodal bureau for vaccine development and the researchers will concentrate on determining the pathway of vaccine development. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has already allowed for the clinical trial of convalescent plasma (antibody-rich plasma from the human who has recovered from coronavirus) in treating patients of COVID-19.

This is a good opportunity for biotechnologists to find a significant solution to fight against this crisis. After an evaluation done by the Indian Council of Medical Research, Mylab Discovery Solution was the first company to acquire commercial commendation for a rapid test kit for the COVID-19 test from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). This creates an opportunity for startups and private sectors to establish them in this sector and serve humankind.

There is a huge demand for test kits for diagnosing COVID-19, also, the disease, if not contained, may further spread at a substantial pace. The government is focusing on developing vaccines against SARS-Cov-2. In this crisis, Government, as well as the private sector, should contribute to rapid tests to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Biocon Ltd. is willingly setting up a testing facility for the COVID-19 test and there is a need for more diagnostic centers to manage situations in case of a huge rush. Therefore, there is an opportunity for biotechnologists to go ahead in this sector.

The Post COVID-Era: Necessity and Opportunity for Biotech Sector

On the impact of COVID-19, Kiran Majumder Shaw, the biotechnology icon, believes that it is both an opportunity and necessity for the biotechnology sector to start seriously looking at these kinds of viral diseases.

The current situation warrants the importance of being prepared beforehand for any unforeseen epidemics and pandemics like this. As compared to other western countries, the Indian public health system does not even mandate a flu-shot every year, which is very important in this era of globalization. Future health policies need to emphasize more on prevention than cure.

Communicable diseases, once believed to the disease of third world countries are not true anymore because of travel and migration. “ This is an opportunity to strengthen the India biotech sector and make sure that you start researching on all these communicable diseases as well”, says Kiran Majumder Shaw. We predict that the following factors are further going to catalyze the growth in the Biotech sector. 

  • The growing concern about personal health and hygiene
  • Production and R&D drive which will certainly increase the demand for reagents, media, and sera.
  • Growing environmental concerns and related regulations will require more testing reagents
  • Increasing stringency in food safety and regulations demand more kits and reagents for testing pesticide residues and other parameters
  • Growing incidence of lifestyle diseases inflate the demand for diagnostics
  • Success stories of personalized medicine or precision medicine widen the market scope

A pandemic situation can curtail the supply chain system especially when there is more reliance on other countries. India is trying to be more self-dependent and develop better indigenous techniques. India is a young country full of skilled resources and the “Make in India Campaign” may further provide a great opportunity for Biotech entrepreneurs and the biotech industry at large.

 A career in biotechnology seems to be very promising and a biotechnologist not only satisfies his goals of research and innovation but serves the country and above all humanity.

Jobs I Can Get If I Study Biotechnology

Biotechnology is one of the world’s newest and most important applied sciences of the 21st century. It is the application of different domains of science and technology like physics, chemistry, engineering, law and biology for the betterment of human health. It includes the manipulation of organisms at the molecular and genetic levels to improve health, safety, nutrition, and the environment.

It is a good time to understand that Indian Life science space is very dynamic and is in a booming stage full of opportunities in all its sectors which encompasses vibrant biotech industry, bioentrepreneurship, academics, environment, health sector, agriculture, and research. The whole world is looking towards biotechnology for a sustainable solution to the problems related to human health. The recent pandemic of COVID-19 has reinforced the need for a huge investment in the field of medical science and research through the tools of biotechnology.

India is among the top twelve biotechnology destinations in the world and 3rd largest biotech destination in the Asia Pacific Region. With a strong foundation of about 600+ core biotech companies, around 2600+ biotech start-ups, and 47 Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) supported incubators, the Indian Biotechnology industry is expected to reach 150 billion dollars by 2025 from a 64 billion dollar industry (as in 2019). This will require a huge number of skilled work forces in the field of biotechnology. 

Almost every sphere of life will absorb biotechnologists, be it agriculture, horticulture, dairy technology, pharmaceutical industry, core biotech industry, healthcare sectors, research laboratories, and food and beverage industry. The type of job depends on the type of industry and its requirements.

Careers in biotechnology tend to be related to the following four broad sectors (but not limited to)

  • Research and development
  • Manufacturing
  • Sales and service
  • Teaching/academics

Research and development

This job is best suited for students who have a quest for knowledge and passion to discover mysteries in the field of biosciences. However, R&D labs also require technical staffs where work skill is more demanding. Both government and private R&D labs offer jobs for biotechnologists. Various jobs related to research laboratories are

  • Research Scientist
  • Project assistant
  • Research fellow
  • Postdoctoral research fellow
  • Lab technician
  • Forensic expert
  • Bioinformatician (A Bioinformatician combines research in biology, medicine, and health-related studies with information technology to collect and interpret data covering a range of fields, such as genetics or drug development.)
  • Veterinarian (responsible for diagnosing, treating and monitoring laboratory animals during the research stage of new drug therapies/discoveries, biochemical pathway analysis, and physiological studies.

 Product manufacturing

The biotech industries in this sector manufacture drugs, therapies, vaccines, and other products on a commercial scale. Jobs related to product manufacturing are

  • Product development supervisor/associate/technician: Their job is associated with the development, planning, and implementation of product and process development for new products and technologies from laboratory scale to pilot plant and then manufacturing scale.
  • Manufacturing manager/supervisor/technician: The job profile is associated with the development, operation, and ongoing support of manufacturing business systems.
  • Environmental engineer/technician: they take care of the research, coordination, operation, and management of environmental issues like waste disposal, pollution control, and hazardous waste management.
  • Quality Control (QC) Supervisor/analyst/technician: QC is product-oriented and focuses on defect identification.
  • Quality assurance (QA) Supervisor/associate: QA is process-oriented, focuses on defect prevention and ensures the best quality product to the customer.

 Sales and Marketing

In this sector, a biotechnologist can work as a business development officer, technical service representative, sales executive and sales representatives based on their skill and experience.

Teaching/ academics

A higher degree in the field of biotechnology like Ph.D./M.Tech is desirable for a job in this sector. Those who have an aptitude for teaching are best suitable for this job. A teaching enthusiast can join as an assistant professor. A Fresher with a bachelor’s degree may get the job of a laboratory technician or lab instructor.

 Apart from the above-mentioned sectors, there are many other scopes like clinical research, content writing and patent writing where a biotechnologist can get the opportunity. The field of biotechnology is highly dynamic and in the future, many more avenues are expected to open up.

Biotechnology and its Scope in Today’s World

Biotechnology is one of the world’s newest and most important applied science of the 21st century. It integrates different domains of science and technology like physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, law and biology for the betterment of human health. It includes the manipulation of organisms on the molecular and genetic levels to improve health, safety, nutrition, and the environment.

The word ‘biotechnology’ was coined by Karl Ereky (1878–1952), in Hungary in 1919, to describe the general processes of converting raw materials into useful products, such as on industrial farms. The term ‘Biotechnology’ may sound futuristic but its use and application date back to our early civilization. We have been using the biological processes of microorganisms for more than 6,000 years to make useful food products such as bread, cheese and to preserve dairy products. The rapid advancement of modern biological science and technology and their combined effort has boosted the scope and application of Biotechnology like never before.

The biotechnology definition as develped by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) goes as “the application of science and technology to living organisms as well as parts, products and models thereof, to alter living or non-living materials for the production of knowledge, goods, and services.” This definition covers the entire modern biotechnology including the traditional activities.

Based on its application there are five main areas of biotechnology as given below:

1. Animal Biotechnology
It deals with the development of disease-resistant transgenic animals for increased milk or meat production. Animal models of human diseases may be produced for research purposes. Transgenic animals are also used for the purpose of molecular farming, i.e. the production of pharmaceutically important proteins in animal bodies.

2. Plant and agricultural biotechnology
It deals with the development of transgenic plants which are tolerant to different environmental stress and diseases. Genetically modified plants with high yielding products are prepared. They may also be used for molecular farming.

3. Medical Biotechnology
In the field of medical science, genetic engineering has helped in the large scale production of blood serum proteins hormones, in the development of antibiotics, and other medically useful products like monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of dreaded diseases like cancer.

4. Industrial Biotechnology:
It deals with commercial production of various useful substances, such as acetic acid, citric acid, acetone, antibiotics like penicillin, streptomycin, etc., through the use of microbial bioreactors and fermenters.

5. Environmental Biotechnology
Increasing pollution and waste management have become a huge concern for authorities. The use of microorganisms in this regard has opened huge possibilities for pollution and waste management. Enzymatic detoxification and bioremediation have vast applications in managing wastewater and industrial effluents.

Indian Scenario
It is a good time to understand that Indian Life science space is very dynamic and is in a booming stage full of opportunities in all its sectors. The biotechnology scope in India is ample and it is estimated to grow by 30.46 percent CAGR by 2025, making it a 100 billion dollar industry. Also, India is among the top 12 biotech destinations in the world and ranks third in the Asia-Pacific region.

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