Biology, Biotechnology and Bioengineering

Biology, biotechnology and bioengineering are fields within the life sciences that are related to each other but differ in terms of focus and applications. Biotechnology and bioengineering, which have become popular, especially in recent years, are among the preferences of many prospective university students. There are many career opportunities for individuals trained in these fields, from research positions in academia and industry to roles in product development and commercialization.

On the other hand, biology, biotechnology and bioengineering often offer opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations such as engineering, chemistry and computer science, which can also provide opportunities for interdisciplinary research and learning activities. In this article, we will talk about how these three fields are generally defined, the skills that individuals who want to pursue these fields may need, job opportunities and what they can do to improve themselves in their career path.

Biology

Biology or bioscience is defined as the branch of science that studies living organisms and their structures, functions, behaviours and evolution. Biologists, or biological scientists, study many different topics, from the molecular and cellular level to the ecosystem and population level. It has a wide variety of subdisciplines such as genetics, evolution, ecology, anatomy, physiology and microbiology. Biology is a field that combines the skills of observation, experimentation and analysis, using tools such as microscopes, genetic sequencing technologies and statistical methods. Information obtained through studies carried out in the field of biology; It is applied in practice in many fields such as medicine, agriculture, biotechnology and environmental management.

The most popular professions among graduates of university biology departments are:

• Research Assistant
• Science Writer
• Biomedical Systems Consultant
• Biotechnology Researcher
• Ecologist
• Conservation Biology Specialist
• Medical Researcher
• Agricultural Biologist

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is defined as the use and application of biological knowledge and techniques for the purpose of developing products and processes for human use. Biotechnology; It involves the use of living organisms or their components for the manufacture of useful products such as drugs, vaccines, biofuels, and industrial enzymes. Biotechnologists develop genetic engineering techniques to modify and improve organisms for specific purposes and use many different techniques, including fermentation and cell culture. These techniques allow scientists to manipulate and control biological systems for specific purposes. Biotechnology has application in many different fields such as industrial production, environmental management, agriculture and medicine. For example, biotechnology is being used to develop new drugs and vaccines for diseases, increase crop yields and pest resistance, and develop new methods for producing sustainable fuels.

The most popular professions among biotechnology graduates are:

• R&D Specialist
• Bioinformatics Specialist
• Biomanufacturing Technician
• Bioprocess Engineer
• Biotechnology Patent Attorney
• Biotechnology Regulatory Specialist
• Biotechnology Sales and Marketing Specialist
• Quality Control Analyst

Bioengineering

Bioengineering is defined as the application of engineering principles to design and develop new biological systems and products. Bioengineers apply knowledge from biology, physics, chemistry and other disciplines to create new technologies and solve problems related to living organisms. Bioengineering may also involve the development of medical devices such as artificial organs and prosthetics, or the design of diagnostic and diagnostic tools and imaging technologies. Bioengineers may also work on the development of new methods for drug delivery, genetic engineering, or tissue engineering. Bioengineering is a field where researchers and professionals from many different backgrounds work together to develop innovative solutions and where interdisciplinary interaction is intense. Bioengineers can work in a wide variety of settings, including academic research laboratories, government agencies, and the private sector.

The most popular professions among graduates of bioengineering departments of universities are:

• Bioinformatics Analyst
• Biomaterials Engineer
• Biomedical Engineer
• Bioprocess Engineer
• Environmental engineer
• Tissue Engineer
• Genetic Counselor
• Synthetic Materials Biologist

What Can You Do for a Career in Biology, Biotechnology and Bioengineering?

Having a career in the fields of biology, biotechnology and bioengineering or sub-branches related to these fields requires you to acquire education, experience, skills and environment. We mentioned that individuals who want to make a career in these fields need to have many skills and that they need to improve the skills they already have. This may seem scary or intimidating at first, but the path to success all comes down to being determined, setting a clear goal and getting the right guidance. However, the steps you can follow to start or advance a career in these fields can be listed as follows;

• Get work experience.
  • Many jobs in these fields require experience working in a laboratory or other related work. You can apply for internship programs, co-working positions and research assistantships to gain practical experience and expand your network.
• Expand your circle.
  • You can attend conferences and activities and become a member of professional organizations to meet other professionals in your field and learn about job opportunities.
• Improve the skills you have.
  • To become a highly competitive candidate in the job market, you can improve your laboratory techniques, computational tools, project management and communication skills.
• Follow new research and trends.
  • You can stay up to date on the latest research and trends in your field by reading scientific literature and attending conferences and professional development activities.
• Participate in certification programs.
  • You can participate in training and certification programs in biology, biotechnology and bioengineering to gain specific knowledge and skills.