Monday, 17 October 2016

Biochemistry


Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the study of the structure, composition and chemical reactions of substances in living organisms. It is an interdisciplinary program in which the principles of chemistry, biology, genetics, mathematics and physics is applied to the study or investigations of biomolecules, atoms, organelles, cells, tissues and organisms. Biochemistry is often defined as the 'chemistry of life' because it aims to explore and understand aspects of life. It is a branch of chemistry, which is concerned with the biological processes taking place in cells and organisms. Hence study of biochemistry deals with the chemical combinations and reactions which take place in biological processes such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, heredity etc, as well as the effect of environment on living organisms. The discipline can be used to study the properties of, as well as find uses for biological molecules. Biochemistry provide the basis for biotechnology and molecular biology techniques, ranging from biomolecular computation and modeling, to regulation of gene expression.


Those who study the chemistry of living beings are called Biochemists. Biochemists study the elements, compounds and chemical reactions that are controlled by enzymes and take place in living organisms. Biochemists get into the most minute characteristics of living organisms. They delve deep into the structures and functions of biomolecules such as enzymes, proteins, carbohydrates, fats and other numerous processes related to metabolism of mankind. They are involved in production of biochemical products by experimenting, analyzing and researching. They undertake experiments and do research to study biochemical changes and also functioning of genes. They may be identifying the way in which DNA, which carries the genetic information, is transferred between cells and can be manipulated.


Biochemistry contributes to advances in a wide variety of areas, including health, agriculture and environment. Biochemistry finds application in clinical and forensic science and in the food and pharmacological industries. Biochemistry is the key player in modern biomedical research, as biochemists contribute to the design of new drugs. Biochemists working in medicine are sometimes called Molecular biologists. They study bacteria, viruses and other organisms to understand the chemical basis of life. They also determine the effects of chemicals on medical problems such as cancer, aging or obesity.

Eligibility & Course Areas

Educational: There are several courses in biochemistry, minimum requirement to take a course in this field is 10+2 Science. Students having background in science at 10+2 level can take up B.Sc Biochemistry. Further one can opt for M.Sc and MD in Biochemistry whose eligibility are a B.Sc degree and an M.B.B.S degree respectively. Those with a masters degree in the respective field can go for Ph.D and M.Phil in Biochemistry.

The course covers bioorganic chemistry, biophysical chemistry, human physiology, microbiology and virology, basic immunology, enzymology, intermediary metabolism of carbohydrates, structural biology, bioenergetics and biomembrances, computer applications in biology, nutritional and clinical biochemistry and molecular biology.

Personal attributes: They must be creative, imaginative and hardworking with good communication skills both oral and written as they have to interact with other scientists. Biochemists must be cooperative and able to work as part of a team. Problem-solving, research and analytical skills, and curiosity are important traits for future biochemists. Organisational and computational skills are also essential. Because Biochemists work in a field that requires precision, they need to be careful and patient workers who can use scientific methods and equipment. They must be inquisitive as well as persistent.

Job Prospects & Career Options

Biochemistry being an interdisciplinary subject, graduates in this field enjoy a wide range of career opportunities. They can find work in many walks of life in industry, hospitals, agriculture, research and educational institutions. Biochemistry finds application in clinical and forensic science laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, agrochemical companies and in food /beverages industries.

Both private and public sector offer employment for biochemists. The Department of Agriculture, the National Institutes of Health, and the Environmental Protection Agency are some of the government agencies that employ biochemists. Industries that produce pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, foods, feeds, and consumer products employ biochemists in research as well as in areas outside the lab such as marketing, management, science information, technical writing and editing. Biotechnology companies employ biochemists in quality control, clinical research, manufacturing, and information systems with applications to the environment, energy, human health care, agriculture and animal health. Colleges and universities employ the majority of biochemists as teachers or researchers in schools of arts and sciences, medicine, engineering, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and agriculture.

Career areas in this field include:

Agriculture: A Biochemist engaged in this field develop and innovate new improved techniques for crop cultivation, pest control management and crop storage management. Contributions made in this field by biochemists has helped to better the output and quality of agricultural produce. Employers include seed companies, agricultural universities/colleges, chemical maufacturing companies, agricultural department etc.

Medicine: Biochemists working in medicine are sometimes called molecular biologists. Here Biochemists perform diagnostic tests and investigations for finding out causes of various diseases confronting mankind. Their major concern is to study the role of genetic transmission of diseases from one generation to another. They study bacteria, viruses, and other organisms to better understand the chemical basis of life. They also try to figure out the chemical changes that take place in the cells of the body parts which signal the onset of various diseases such as tuberculosis, cancer, diabetes, mental disorders like epilepsy etc. Research related to identification and analysis of chemical processes like muscular contraction, reproduction, metabolism etc also relates to their job.

They provide a diagnostic service, carrying out tests on blood, urine and other body fluids, alongside researching the underlying causes of disease and the methods of treatment. Hospitals, public health laboratories and medical research institutes, as well as the pharmaceutical industry, employ biochemists.

Research: Biochemistry is a field of intense research. Biochemists are employed to carry out research in various fields like development of new crops, pest control methods, quality improvement, drug manufacturing, identifying cause of various diseases in living organisms etc. Employment opportunities exist in research labs in biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, private industry, nonprofit research institutes, in forensic labs and in government laboratories. They can also work as researchers at colleges and universities in the areas of biochemistry.

Food and Nutrition: Biochemists in nutrition analyze food products to measure their vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals. Nutritional biochemists improve the health of both humans and animals. A nutritional biochemist that specializes in animals usually works in the agriculture industry developing new feed and conducting animal science research. A nutritional biochemist for humans tries to improve public health, either by reducing malnourishment or analyzing the nutritional components of certain diseases such as diabetes or obesity. In this field biochemists have researched and studied the effects of certain food stuffs, minerals, protiens, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins, when consumed in excess or in deficient quantities, on the human body. They also work on developing new crops or making crops that improve human health. There are also positions for nutritional biochemists in the Nutraceutical industry examining or developing foods that can provide medicinal benefits.

Drug Development: Drug companies employ biochemists to research the causes of disease and to develop drugs to combat these diseases. In this career field biochemists diagnoises diseases and develop new drug compounds, vaccines etc.

Education: There are opportunities as educators, as high school teachers, professors and curriculum developers. To become a professor you need to possess a doctorate degree in biochemistry. Curriculum developers work with publishing companies, online education providers and state boards of education to develop educational standards for high school or post-secondary students. The minimum education requirement for curriculum development is an undergraduate degree, though most employers will prefer to hire curriculum developers with some teaching or technical writing experience.

Writer: Science writer is also a career for biochemistry majors. Science writers work for publishing companies, writing textbooks, manuals and non-fiction works about science, usually on a freelance basis. They also work for newspapers, magazines and trade publications.

Military Careers: The military medical service corps also hires biochemists, with a minimum of a masters degree, to provide clinical services to soldiers and their families. In the military, a biochemist will work in research and development, blood banks, health services or in toxicological research.

Toxicology: Toxicologists examine the effect of chemicals on humans, animals and the environment. Toxicologists work in laboratories, for the government, private or non-profit firms, and their research is used in policy development, law enforcement and forensic investigation.

Administrative positions: The increasing reliance on biochemical technology in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology industries requires administrators, consultants and legislative aides who have a thorough understanding of modern biochemistry.

Self employment: Some biochemists are self-employed consultants who advise government or industry.

There are several colleges and universities conducting bachelor and master level courses as well as M.Phil and Ph.D. in biochemistry.

List of colleges offering Biochemistry courses can be had from the following link.


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