Plant biotechnologists improve the production of plants for practical uses like producing food, fibre and biofuels. To assist farmers in the process of yielding better crop growth, plant biotechnology professionals transfer genes from one organism to the other.
For example, animal genes, including human genes, have been transferred into plants, an achievement of human intelligence.
Did you know? Biotechnology helps in saving the plants from pests and diseases.
It might marvel you, a genetically enhanced papaya helped in saving the Hawaiian papaya industry. The farmers had suffered huge losses due to the ring spot virus, and there was No other effective treatment; plant biotechnology – the saviour.
Growing With The Degree
With so many untouched spaces in the field of biotechnology, there is no doubt about the fact that you grow as you study more about this field.
At the undergraduate level, your course topics include communication, genetics, immunology and plant pathology besides the science courses like physics and chemistry.
M.Tech plant technology degree also throws light on more advanced subjects like plant development, cell biology, nucleic acid structures, microbial ecology and advanced plant physiology.
What Can You do After The Course – The Scope?
Both in India and abroad, the scope of biotechnology is expanding, and it doesn’t look like it is going to stop in the near future.
With a biotechnology degree, you can work in a variety of settings like government labs, parks, educational institutions and museums. With a master’s degree in hand, you would have plenty of opportunities in academics, research and administration.
There are unlimited opportunities with pharmaceutical companies, educational institutes and consulting services.
You could choose to work as any of the following:
- Research technician/Specialist- If you love to read and are inquisitive to learn, this is the perfect job for you. As a research specialist, you will perform a wide range of highly technical and intricate research lab procedures.
- Greenhouse/ Field Technician or Plant breeding support scientist– If you love being around plants and outdoors but also want to be a part of science, this is the perfect profession. As a field technician, you are supposed to care for plants that have been created through genetic engineering and have to understand their growth pattern.
- Plant propagation specialist– The job responsibilities as a plant propagation specialist include maintenance of accurate records and inventory for plant propagation, pesticide application, plant labels and crop production.
- Teacher/ Professor– If you wish to extend your knowledge to others, the teaching profession is one of the best. Enrol for a D. and apply at a college or do it without enrolling for one, the choice is yours.
Besides this, pharmaceutical companies are on the lookout for qualified postgraduates.
Ten years back, we couldn’t have imagined a lot of things that are now touted as developments and are very much present.
With so much scope and such an exciting field of study, you must give plant biotechnology a serious thought.