What Is Biotech

What Is Biotech?

Biotechnology is a diverse field full of opportunities for learners. Is this the right industry for you? Learn about degree options through MCPHS.

Does the idea of creating new products and technology excite you? Are you someone who loves research and innovation? If so, a career in biotechnology may be the right path for you. Professionals in this life sciences field help push the boundaries of modern-day medical, agricultural, and industrial solutions, introducing different processes for improved health and well-being. 

And with the job outlook growing by 7% annually, this sector isn’t just helping scientific discovery flourish; it also offers learners job security and career advancement opportunities. 

Want to learn what it takes to get into biotech? Read on to find out.

Biotech: A Brief History

Biotechnology—or biotech—is a field of science that involves using living organisms, cells, and biological processes to develop products and technologies for various applications, particularly in health, agriculture, industry, and environmental management. It merges biology with technology, allowing advancements that have transformed multiple industries.

While it’s seen countless advancements in recent years, this industry isn’t new. In fact, people have been conducting biotechnological research and developing new products and methods since ancient times. Let’s do a deep dive into the history of this sector, bringing you up to speed on what types of advancements have happened throughout the years: 

Early Biotech: Ancient Times to 19th Century

Before the year 1800, any discoveries or developments were based on common observations about nature, including the domestication of crops and wild animals and the introduction of the following practices:

• Fermentation: Using microorganisms like yeast and bacteria to create foods like cheese, yogurt, and bread. 
• Selective and cross-breeding: Taking specific qualities of different animals and combining them through their offspring. An example of animal biotechnology is a mule, which is a result of the mating of a male donkey and a female horse. 

Emergence of Microbial Biotechnology: Late 19th to Mid-20th Century

Many important discoveries were made during this time period, setting the stage for later advancements. 

• Continuous cell line creation: Establishing a continuous cell taken from Henrietta Lacks, Dr. George Gey isolated this cell line containing HeLa stem cells commonly used in medical research. 
• Louis Pasteur’s work on microorganisms: Preventing diseases like smallpox and rabies through medical advancements developed by Edward Jenner and Louis Pasteur. 
• Penicillin discovery: Discovering that the antibacterial toxin, penicillin, from the mold Penicillium notatum can kill bacteria. 
• DNA structure discovery: Putting together the three-dimensional structure of DNA first proposed by James Watson and Francis Crick, using evidence shared from X-ray diffraction images. 

Modern Biotechnology: 1970s Onward

With the introduction of new technology, the biotech world began accelerating at break-neck speeds, creating the modern landscape professionals are currently working within. 

• Genetic engineering: Passing a law that genetically altered life forms can be patented, giving the Exxon oil company the ability to patent an oil-eating microorganism. 
• Biopharmaceuticals: Launching the first biopharmaceutical plants that are resistant to insects, viruses, and bacteria. 
• Human Genome Project: Funding a massive attempt to sequence the human genetic code and the genomes of other species. 
• CRISPR: Creating a technology that research scientists use to selectively modify the DNA of a living organism. 

Types of Biotechnology

Unlike some sectors that are niche and limited, biotechnology is a vast and quickly expanding field. If you have specific interests in the medical industry or agricultural exploration, there’s a role in the biotech industry for you. 

Here are just a few of the types of biotech you can go into:

Medical Biotechnology

The medical biotechnology industry uses living cells and cell materials to develop products that treat and prevent human diseases. 

Examples of Medical Biotechnology

• Genetic testing: Scientists examine a patient’s DNA sample for mutated sequences.
• Artificial tissue growth: Medical biotechnology can grow artificial tissues.
• Special karyotyping: This technique uses probes to bind to unique substances on each chromosome, which can then be labeled to create a full-color map of the chromosomes. This map can be used to identify chromosomal abnormalities.

Agricultural Biotechnology

Agricultural biotechnology, also known as agritech, is the utilization of biology and technology to improve plants, animals, and microorganisms for better agricultural productivity and output. 

Examples of Agricultural Biotechnology

• Marker-assisted selection: A molecular technique that helps plant breeders identify better traits in plants more quickly. 
• Genetic engineering: Moving genes around from one living organism to another to create different characteristics.
• Genome editing: A technique used to develop more heat-tolerant cattle. 

Industrial Biotechnology

Industrial biotechnology uses enzymes and microorganisms to create sustainable processing and production of chemical products, materials, and fuels.

Examples of Industrial Biotechnology

• Biofuels: Produced using natural inputs like corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, and algae instead of petroleum products. 
• Industrial fermentation: A biotechnological process that uses cells to produce molecules like amino acids, vitamins, organic acids, enzymes, antibiotics, and bipolymers. 
• Bioprocessing: Applying biotech-based tools to traditional industrial processes. 

Marine Biotechnology

Marine biotechnology—also called blue biotechnology—involves using resources in marine environments to create new products and processes. Generally, scientists in this field will apply scientific and engineering principles to marine biological systems to change or alter living or non-living materials. 

Examples of Marine Biotechnology

• Aquaculture: New technologies and AI can be used to monitor marine life stock and breed improved species for better outcomes. 
• Developing pharmaceuticals: Compounds from marine organisms like sponges, snails, and algae can be used to develop painkillers and other medicines for pharmaceutical companies. 
• Improved fish feed: Scientists research alternative and more sustainable feed sources for farmed fish. 

Food Biotechnology

Food biotechnology is the use of biology and technology to improve food and food production, improving nutrition and food security. 

Examples of Food Biotechnology

• Preserving food: Using microorganisms or enzymes to extend the shelf life of food products without artificial preservatives that can be bad for your health. 
• Fortified crops: Crops that have been genetically modified to be supplemented with nutrients.
• Biodegradable packaging films: Packaging options embedded with nanoparticles and designed to reduce the use of synthetic plastics. 

Careers in Biotechnology

Do any of the above categories spark your interest? If so, there are many biotechnology jobs to choose from, depending on what niche you’d like to pursue. Interested in creating new products for medical device companies? A biomedical engineer might be up your alley. Or would you rather ensure each new product meets standards and requirements? That would mean a quality control analyst is the spot for you. 

Here’s a breakdown of a few career paths: 

Research Scientist

As a research scientist, you’ll spend most of your time in a lab, conducting experiments on areas that affect important topics, like food and drug discovery, aging and growth, or chemical compositions. This role requires at least a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, biochemistry, or a related field, although some jobs may demand a higher-level degree. 

Biomedical Engineer

A biomedical engineer is a professional who uses engineering principles to make advancements in healthcare and human well-being. They design medical devices, develop new theories, and train medical professionals on using the latest tools. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, or biotechnology. 

Bioinformatics Specialist

A bioinformatics specialist is in charge of helping scientists manage, process, and analyze genomic and molecular data for research purposes. A typical day consists of building and maintaining collections of data and creating algorithms to better interpret and understand biological insights. To enter this job path, you’ll want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in bioinformatics, biotechnology, or biostatistics. 

Quality Control Analyst

As a quality control analyst, you’ll take charge of biotech products and their quality, ensuring that all processes and creations meet the set requirements. You’ll test samples, analyze data to compare with specifications, and recommend improvements to items you’re reviewing. To do this job, you should get a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, chemistry, or manufacturing engineering. 

Start Your Biotech Career Journey

At Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), we offer a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology degree to help students prepare for a career full of research, biology, and technology. During this four-year program, you’ll learn the basics of molecular biology and biochemistry, conduct several types of research, and learn to think critically about current biotech industry issues. 

Sound intriguing? Apply to get started today.