3 answers
Katia
Student
San Mateo, California
30
Questions
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What does a biotechnologist do on a daily basis?
I'm interested in pursuing a career in biotechnology, but I'm not sure what their day-to-day tasks look like. #biology #tech #biotechnology #women-in-tech
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3 answers
Rama Bisa
Karnataka
9
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Rama’s Answer
What Does A Biotechnologist Do?
Technical Responsibilities
Despite the semantics, let’s consider what many biotechnologists do: work in the biopharmaceutical field producing protein drugs. In this part of the field alone, there are several different roles, depending on which part of the drug development process is involved.
At the beginning of the protein drug development process, a biotechnologist might manipulate, or mutate, DNA (genes) to introduce specific mutations that could increase the yield of the product or make the product more efficacious. Or perhaps, a biotechnologist will try to optimize the expression of the protein drug in different cell lines or in different conditions, and then determine the best way to purify the final drug product. After this basic research and development, “scale-up” is needed. Thus, biotechnologists will focus on the best conditions to use to scale up production to manufacturing large amounts of their product and then monitor the quality of the product’s lifecycle. Finally, a biotechnologist may characterize the final product using bioassays, analytical chemistry, and other techniques to ensure the delivery of a safe and effective drug.
In other fields such as agriculture, a biotechnologist may manipulate DNA (genes) to produce a heartier crop that can withstand different climates or pests. In cosmetics, biotechnologists may try to manipulate microorganisms to produce new pigments or ways to keep your skin looking younger.
In each example, these are some of the more technical aspects of a biotechnologists job; however, like every job, this is only a small portion of what their role entails.
Non-technical Responsibilities
Biotechnologists also lead teams and help direct the scientific direction of the company and projects. They may have to write business justifications for projects to continue working on them, or to obtain additional funding. A biotechnologist also communicates the information they’ve gathered in their work to many audiences: through presentations to others in their company, to outside members of the scientific community through presentations and publications, and also often to the public. The most important thing a biotechnologist does, however, is solve problems. It is not enough to just be technically proficient; one must also be able to function within the company’s culture.
The good news is that the biotechnology field is booming with no end in sight. What was once a very localized and specialized field now includes jobs all over the world; from Boston, MA, to San Francisco, CA, to international locations such as Toronto, Ontario, Seoul, South Korea, and more. The diversity of work biotechnologists perform, across many industries and ranging from hands-on positions to desk-oriented roles, allows careers of great opportunity and, most importantly, fun.
https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/what-does-a-biotechnologist-do/
Technical Responsibilities
Despite the semantics, let’s consider what many biotechnologists do: work in the biopharmaceutical field producing protein drugs. In this part of the field alone, there are several different roles, depending on which part of the drug development process is involved.
At the beginning of the protein drug development process, a biotechnologist might manipulate, or mutate, DNA (genes) to introduce specific mutations that could increase the yield of the product or make the product more efficacious. Or perhaps, a biotechnologist will try to optimize the expression of the protein drug in different cell lines or in different conditions, and then determine the best way to purify the final drug product. After this basic research and development, “scale-up” is needed. Thus, biotechnologists will focus on the best conditions to use to scale up production to manufacturing large amounts of their product and then monitor the quality of the product’s lifecycle. Finally, a biotechnologist may characterize the final product using bioassays, analytical chemistry, and other techniques to ensure the delivery of a safe and effective drug.
In other fields such as agriculture, a biotechnologist may manipulate DNA (genes) to produce a heartier crop that can withstand different climates or pests. In cosmetics, biotechnologists may try to manipulate microorganisms to produce new pigments or ways to keep your skin looking younger.
In each example, these are some of the more technical aspects of a biotechnologists job; however, like every job, this is only a small portion of what their role entails.
Non-technical Responsibilities
Biotechnologists also lead teams and help direct the scientific direction of the company and projects. They may have to write business justifications for projects to continue working on them, or to obtain additional funding. A biotechnologist also communicates the information they’ve gathered in their work to many audiences: through presentations to others in their company, to outside members of the scientific community through presentations and publications, and also often to the public. The most important thing a biotechnologist does, however, is solve problems. It is not enough to just be technically proficient; one must also be able to function within the company’s culture.
The good news is that the biotechnology field is booming with no end in sight. What was once a very localized and specialized field now includes jobs all over the world; from Boston, MA, to San Francisco, CA, to international locations such as Toronto, Ontario, Seoul, South Korea, and more. The diversity of work biotechnologists perform, across many industries and ranging from hands-on positions to desk-oriented roles, allows careers of great opportunity and, most importantly, fun.
https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/what-does-a-biotechnologist-do/
Rakesh Pant
19
Answers
Updated
Rakesh’s Answer
As a biotechnologist you'll study the genetic, chemical and physical attributes of cells, tissues and organisms in order to develop new technologies, processes and products that will improve the quality of human life.
Angela Alexander MT(ASCP)
Life Scientist focusing on quality patient care
4
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Angela’s Answer
There are a variety of jobs for a biotechnologist.
Some would include working in research and devlopment of new products, formulations/manufacturing of products and quality control which oversees testing of the product through the different stages of the manufacturing cycle.
Thank you for your answer! That definitely cleared things up for me.
Katia