‘Alternatives of Biotechnology in India - Lesser known non research scopes and Careers’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qGH5cNLGqs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7g3eo9mDr8

Thank you Gunika and Suryadita for helping with the  the videos.

‘Alternatives of Biotechnology in India - Lesser known non research scopes and Careers’

-Jestin Jose

Although we’ve taken biotech, we’ve seen a trend in which much of the students don’t pursue core research, go into teaching field or join pharmaceutical industries. But by the time we  are forced  to make a  decision , much of us don’t have the time to decide to explore much available options and many shift to non-technical fields, or shift to other technical fields  , due to lack of knowledge of opportunities which although gains attraction due to the hefty salary packages but due to  the lack of non tech experience or lack of passion to pursue the profession they may  end up in regret.

 White biotechnology, metabolic engineering and downstream processing are a few umbrella terms used for Industrial biotechnology .There are various fields of biotechnology which have been industrially implemented like fermentation ,probiotics, pharmaceuticals etc . , some of which are so well developed ,  established and diversified that it is sometimes hard to convince their closeness to biotechnology without knowing  in depth details ..

I would like to list some biotechnological sectors along with example of companies which might not be so familiar to everyone.

1.     Nutrigenomics – Indian - Mapmygenome– foreign - MyDiet Clinic 

2.     Bio nutraceuticals, - Indian - Transcend Bionutraceuticals India Private Limited – Foreign – Advanced Bionutraceuticals Ltd 

   3. Biofuels - – Indian   - Universal Biofuels – Foreign – Diester Industry  

   4.Biopolymer – Indian - Envigreen – Foreign – Biopolymers Industries Inc

   5. Biohacking – Foreign – Biohax International

1. Nutrigenomics: Nutritional genomics, also known as nutrigenomics, is a science studying the relationship between human genome, nutrition and health. There is now considerable evidence that nutritional imbalances during gestation and lactation are linked to non-communicable diseases, such as obesity.

2. Bio nutraceuticals: Nutraceuticals are better known as dietary supplements or functional foods -ordinary food that has components or ingredients added to give it a specific medical or physiological benefit, other than a purely nutritional effect.

3. Biofuels: A biofuel is a fuel that is produced through contemporary biological processes, such as agriculture and anaerobic digestion, rather than a fuel produced by geological processes such as those involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum, .(renewable than conventional non-renewable).

4. Biopolymer - packaging, additives, textiles etc.

Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, straw, woodchips, food waste, etc. Bioplastic can be made from agricultural by-products and also from used plastic bottles and other containers using microorganisms

Strength fibres - spider silk

Textile: Enzymes for Retting, desizing, prebleach ,cleansing ,distressed fabric  …;medical mesh etc…future in construction too,

5.Biosensor - Biosensors are analytical devices that combine a bioreceptor (biological recognition element) and a transducer. The bioreceptor can be organisms, tissues, cells, enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acids, etc. It detects the target analyte. The transducer can be electrochemical, optical, thermal or mechanical in nature.

Posts in biotech other than core research scientist:

1.QA/QC executive

2. LAB Executive

3.Analyst

4. Trainer

  So, I’d like to conclude by saying that explore the field we have chosen, before blaming the field and deciding to shift to other professions.