Biotechnology seems to be leading a new biological revolution. Biotechnology is not a single subject, it covers a wide variety of subjects, Genetics, biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, Bio-statistics, Plant breeding, Cell and Molecular biology and Genetic engineering etc.

What is biotechnology? “Biotechnology means any technological applications that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives there of to make or modify the products or processes for specific use”. In modern terms, biotechnology has come to mean the use of cell and tissue culture, cell fusion, molecular biology and in particular recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology to generate unique organisms with new traits or organisms that have the potential to produce specific products. One example of modern biotechnology is genetic engineering .Genetic engineering is the process of transferring individual genes between organisms or modifying the genes in an organism to remove or add a desired trait or characteristics.

Biotechnology at the beginning of the twentieth century began to bring industry and agriculture together. Bio-Technology is the use of living things, especially cells and bacteria in industrial process. There is a great scope in this field as the demand for biotechnologist is growing in India as well as abroad.

An individual aspiring for career in Biotechnology should have a scientific aptitude and a keen interest in the biological sciences. Some other aspects like problem solving skills, information technology skill, analyzing and interpreting skills are also essential for a successful career in this field. The candidate should be methodical and patient by nature, able to work neatly and accurately and have a flair for laboratory work. The ability to work independently is another important aspect. The knowledge of computers in work is a must

APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY:
The roles biotechnology has played in the fields of medicine, fuels, farms, forensics, food and the environment are as follows:

INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY:
Industrial biotechnology applies the techniques of modern molecular biology to improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impacts of industrial process like textile paper and pulp and chemical manufacturing. For example, industrial biotechnology companies develop biocatalysts, such as enzymes to synthesize chemicals. Enzymes are proteins produced by all organisms.

ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY:
Environmental biotechnology is the used in waste treatment and pollution prevention. Environmental biotechnology can more efficiently clean up many wastes than conventional methods and greatly reduce our dependence on methods for land-based disposal.

For example-Bioremediation, is an area of increasing interest Through application of biotechnical methods, enzyme bioreactors are being developed that will pretreat some industrial waste and food waste components and allow their removal through the sewage system rather than through solid waste disposal mechanisms.  Waste can also be converted to biofuel to run generators. Microbes can be induced to produce enzymes needed to convert plant and vegetable materials into building blocks for biodegradable plastics.

HUMAN APPLICATION: 
Biotechnical methods are now used to produce many proteins for pharmaceutical and other specialized purposes. A harmless strain of Escherichia coli bacteria, given a copy of the gene for human insulin, can make insulin. As these genetically modified (GM) bacterial cells age, they produce human insulin, which can be purified and used to treat diabetes in humans. Microorganisms can also be modified to produce digestive enzymes. In the future, these microorganisms could be colonized in the intestinal tract of persons with digestive enzyme insufficiencies.  Products of modern biotechnology include artificial blood vessels from collagen tubes coated with a layer of the anticoagulant heparin.
Gene therapy – altering DNA within cells in an organism to treat or cure a disease – is one of the most promising areas of biotechnology research. New genetic therapies are being developed to treat diseases such as cystic fibrosis, AIDS and cancer.
DNA fingerprinting is the process of cross matching two strands of DNA. In criminal investigations, DNA from samples of hair, bodily fluids or skin at a crime scene is compared with those obtained from the suspects. In practice, it has become one of the most powerful and widely known applications of biotechnology today. Another process, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), is also being used to more quickly and accurately identify the presence of infections such as AIDS, Lyme disease and Chlamydia.
Paternity determination is possible because a child’s DNA pattern is inherited, half from the mother and half from the father. To establish paternity, DNA fingerprints of the mother, child and the alleged father are compared. The matching sequences of the mother and the child are eliminated from the child’s DNA fingerprint; what remains comes from the biological father. These segments are then compared for a match with the DNA fingerprint of the alleged father.
Cloning:
Cloning involves the removal of the nucleus from one cell and its placement in an unfertilized egg cell whose nucleus has either been deactivated or removed.

There are two types of cloning:
1. Reproductive cloning:  After a few divisions, the egg cell is placed into a uterus where it is allowed to develop into a fetus that is genetically identical to the donor of the original nucleus.

2. Therapeutic cloning: The egg is placed into a Petri dish where it develops into embryonic stem cells, which have shown potentials for treating several ailments.

AGRICULTURE:
Using the techniques of modern biotechnology we can improve the yield from crops, reduced vulnerability of crops to environmental stress, increase nutritional qualities of food crops, improve taste, texture or appearance of food, reduce dependence on fertilizers, pesticides and other agrochemicals.

Most of the information that has led to the emergence of biotechnology in the present form has been generated during the last five decades. The setting up of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) (www.dbtindia.nic.in) under the ministry of science and technology in 1986 gave a new impetus to the development of the field of modern biology and biotechnology in India. To overcome the vast requirement the department of biotechnology (DBT), the Human Resource and Development Ministry  has highlighted the need of to set up regulatory body for the maintaince of standard education under the name of “All- India Board of Biotechnology Education and Training” under the AICTE.

ELIGIBILITY:
Candidates who have passed science at the intermediate level with biology as the main subject are eligible for admission in B. Tech. programme in biotechnology as well as the integrated M. Tech. programme at IIT Delhi. Secondly, graduates with sciences/engineering technology/medicine are eligible for the postgraduate (M. Sc.) Programme in Biotechnology P.G.courses available are M.sc Biotechnology, M.sc (Marine) Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology. Depending on the aptitude and necessity, more advanced courses such as Ph.D and Post –Doctorial research in Biotechnology can also be pursued.

Course in biotechnology. Admission to the five-year integrated M. Tech. programme offered by two IITs (Delhi and Kharagpur) is through a Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), which is held for students who have successfully completed the 10+2 or equivalent examination, with physics, chemistry and mathematics and biology. And, for admissions to IIT,  a pass in the IIT-JEE is required. The Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi AIIMS, Jadavpur University, Hyderabad Central University and Anna University also offer M.Tech and M.Sc.

Selection to the graduates courses (BE/B.Tech) is based on the merit i.e., the marks secured in the final exams of 10+2 and through the entrance exams.
For B. Sc. in biotechnology, the candidate must have studied science at the plus two levels. The B. Sc. programme is for duration of three years and the B. Tech. course is for duration of four years. On the other hand, the integrated M.Sc programme is for a period of five years.

JOB PROSPECTS AND CAREER OPTIONS
Biotechnology as a subject has rapidly grown and as far as employment opportunities are concerned it has become one of the fast growing sector. Biotechnology industry in India is over a Rs. 1000 crore industry and will grow faster in years to come .Export potential is also increasing which is generating large amount of fund.  A Biotechnologist can find careers with pharmaceutical companies, chemical, agriculture allied industries, research and development production and marketing. Biotechnology students in India may find work in government –based entity such as universities research institutes or at private centers as research scientists /assistants.

Some major organizations employing biotechnologists in India include Hindustan Lever Ltd, Thapar group, Indo American hybrid seeds, Reliance Biotech , Biocon India Ltd Bivcol, IDPL , India Vaccines Corporation, Hindustan Antibiotics, National Botanical  Institute, National Chemical Laboratories, Tata Engineering Research Pvt Ltd, Shantha Biotech, Ranbaxy, Glaxo Smith Biocon, A.V.Thomas Biotechnology etc

Career options:
Biootechnology is a field at the cutting edge of science includes research associates, plant breeders quality control engineers ,environmental health and safety specialists and technical writers. Current and future opportunities include jobs in research and development  manufacturing and production, hospital laboratories, academic research laboratories, forensics and technical support in the field of pharmaceuticals agriculture and food science environmental clean- up, bioinformatics, forensics and others.

Remuneration:
A starter in the profession can get a salary of Rs.8000 plus and other admissible perks .there are plenty of overseas opportunities for Indian students in countries like Canada the U.S and other European countries .The salary structure for Indian biotechnologist s in abroad is quite high .

The Biotechnology Council of India
For all the reasons stated in this document, the FBAE has been striving towards the establishment of a high-powered national statutory body, the Biotechnology Council of India, on the same lines as the AICTE, Medical Council, Dental Council, Pharmacy Council and the Bar Council. The BCI should have all the power to prescribe curricula and syllabi, standards of teaching facilities, qualifications of teachers and their emoluments, regulate fee structure and decide on all matters related to education and training in biotechnology in the country, and to affiliate or disaffiliate institutions. The Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, has accepted the position of the FBAE in principle, but has been painfully slow in processing the proposal.