Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes occurring at the cellular and molecular level in living matter. If one is looking to further their career in research-oriented segments where biochemistry is used, then they will be inundated with career offers.
In short, a biochemist with a decent track record is always employable. They are behind the innovations or reinventions in cosmetic products as they study the reaction of a particular compound on keratin to make a shampoo or the effect of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide in creams and soaps.
Scope of biochemistry in the industry
The role of a biochemist is not limited only to personal care but extends to health nutrition, food, drug formulations, veterinary care product development, processing of natural fabrics using biochemical processes, and the impact of natural or synthesized products on Agri products.
The scope of research in biochemistry is vast and the future of biotech companies is always bright as long as there is a human race.
A person who takes up a biochemistry course finds that there are numerous benefits of studying biochemistry and taking up a related job. Few of them are listed for those interested in taking up biochemistry as their core competency:
Strong foundation
Biochemistry is the basic foundation of many related fields. Professionals with clear basics in biochemistry will always find themselves using their critical thinking and reasoning power to optimum benefit.
The course is offered by many universities and some even combine it with related life sciences like bio-molecular science. Combined programs of biochemistry with immunology, toxicology, pathology, and immunology are sought after by students as these skills open up a gamut of opportunities.
Career prospects
The varied fields in which biochemistry is applied are numerous and there is never a dearth of opportunities for a skilled workforce with the right kind of education and working knowledge.
Biochemistry courses can even offer a student seeking jobs transferable skills that can be used in addition to other skills like analytics, process development, product conceptualization, and project management.
This aspect widens the range of opportunities for any student with a biochemistry course credit. All biochemists don’t end up in a lab or research work. Many are holding important positions in global developmental organizations such as WHO and IMF with a biochemistry educational background.
Medical innovation
Medical advancements in breakthrough drugs are not possible without the contribution of biochemistry. The effect of a particular drug formulation or compound on a disease in a living body can only be observed for its chemical aspects at a molecular level by a biochemist.
A drug interacts within the bloodstream and involves changes in the body. The chemical reactions of these changes are critical to assess the possibility of a particular formula clearing the clinical trials.
If a particular drug is targeting and eliminating the disease but creating a lot of side effects that can be equally life-threatening, then such drugs will be cleared by the regulator after a lot of screenings and proper awareness.
Even storage conditions in which a formula is maintained can change the chemical reaction of a compound. Hence, biochemistry plays a critical role in pharmacology.
Pathology
Identification of communicable diseases and controlling the spread of the same among a larger population is possible through biochemistry.
Unless one can understand the implications of any microorganism on other living beings and its effect on the normalcy of life, it is difficult to assess if the immune system can fight the possible threat or not. Biochemistry plays a vital role along with molecular and microbiology in diagnosis and predictive medicines
Early detection
Biochemistry is used in developing genome sequencing that helps in the early detection of critical illness. In clinical workflows, an entire population with matching DNA, for instance in the case of ethnicity with many similarities may be prone to life-threatening diseases that can be detected at an early stage.
The scope of biochemistry in this field is still in the infancy stages, and there is a long way to go in clinical trials and pharma innovations.
Agro-growth
Food security for the future population is due to become a large-scale global problem. Now is the time to employ sustainable growth practices that nurture healthy crops and feed an entire population of future races. Already some of the disease-resistant varieties of naturally available superfood resources are extinct.
The global population cannot afford to lose more treasures that have been gifted by nature. To improve the yield of a crop without increasing the toxins in the atmosphere and river streams, sustainable agricultural practices, both traditional and new, can be applied. With these methods that use biochemistry.
The yield of the crop can be increased, disease-resistant varieties can be grown and naturally available microorganisms are cultured in the soil to increase the nutrient value of the growing medium.
For instance, mycorrhiza is a fungus that establishes a symbiotic relationship with host plant roots and transfers nutrients to fibrous roots in exchange for some food from the plant. When the fibrous root growth is steady, plants tend to yield well. This method is highly successful for vegetable and flower products.
Conclusion:
Studying biochemistry at the undergrad and graduate levels has many benefits in terms of career planning. If a student is interested only in research and educational positions, there is always an opening for the right person.
If a person is looking to work in the industry or an area where the skill sets can be transferred, then also there are numerous career prospects. This is a field of study where a person can always stay employable and will never need to worry about loss of job.
As long as there is life and human beings consume food and need medical and other fast consumables, a biochemist will find a job. Every chemical reaction that is concerned with a living organism will be under the scope of biochemistry.
If it has not been identified yet, it will be done so in the future. This is the prime reason a person interested in biochemistry needs to plan career growth through the right course planning.
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