Career in Genetic Engineering in India: The body of all living organisms is made up of genomes; based on these genetic structures, the character or behaviour of an organism may change. Some plants can resist insects, while others can sustain themselves in all conditions of the environment. Organisms receive these traits as part of some DNAs in their body; hence, if we add DNA with a special trait or character into an organism that lacks that trait, it can result in a better version of the organism. The following article will give you a brief idea about the Careers in Genetic Engineering in India. Read depth info on different Genetic Engineering jobs available after doing Genetic Engineering courses.
It is an application of Biotechnology where an organism’s genome is studied and modified. Genetic Engineering is known as Genetic Modification since it deals with genome manipulations. Genetic Engineering currently has more scope in areas related to plants than humans.
Quick Facts
The following is the summary of genetic engineering:
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Bachelor of Technology or Engineering (B.Tech. / B.E) Master of Technology (M.Tech.) Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Master of Science (M.Sc.) Certificate Courses in Genetic Engineering Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Genetic Engineering Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / in Genetic Engineering Post Graduate Diploma in Genetic Engineering |
| Duration | UG: 4 Years PG: 2 Years PhD: 3 Years |
| Types of Genetic Engineer | Analytical Genetic Engineering, Chemical Genetic Engineering, Applied Genetic Engineering |
What is Genetic Engineering?
The field of Genetic Engineering is an important discipline of science that deals with the manipulation of an organism’s genome structures. The utmost thing that requires doing Genetic Engineering is recombinant DNA, a combination of DNAs from different organisms.
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Each gene structures represent a particular quality, and hence the process of manually removing these genes and inserting them into an organism to have the quality represented by the gene added to the organism. The organism undergoing modifications is known as a host organism, and the host organism may vary from single bacteria to plants or animals or even a human cell.
Various Genetic Engineering Courses in India
To work as a Genetic Engineer or to make a career in Genetic Engineering, one can earn a degree by following Genetic Engineer courses.
| Genetic Engineering Courses | Duration |
| Bachelor of Technology or Engineering (B.Tech. / B.E) | 4 years |
| Master of Technology (M.Tech.) | 2 years |
| Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) | 3 years |
| Master of Science (M.Sc.) | 2 years |
| Certificate Courses in Genetic Engineering | a few months to one year |
| Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Genetic Engineering | 1 year |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / in Genetic Engineering | 3 years |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Genetic Engineering | 3 years |
Admission Procedure
- Candidates will have to clear the state or national-level entrance exam. The candidates can also appear for the entrance exams conducted by deemed universities like JEE, GATE, BITSAT etc.
- The admission is based on the marks obtained by the candidates in the entrance test.
- Private colleges also consider direct admission in B.Tech courses through Class 12th merit.
Eligibility Criteria
The following are the eligibility criteria for genetic engineering:
| Particulars | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Qualification | The candidates must have passed Class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. |
| Qualifying Marks | Candidates must have a minimum of 50% marks. |
Top College in India Offering Genetics Engineering
Many Genetic Engineering colleges in India offer different Genetic Engineering courses. A few of them are as follows:
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| NIT Surathkal | Karnataka |
| Indian Institute of Technology | Haus Khas (Delhi) |
| Haryana Agricultural University | Hissar |
| Centre for Biotechnology | Pondicherry |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | New Delhi |
Job Opportunities
Genetic Engineering is a research-oriented field; hence, the job vacancies for genetic research engineers are very high. Genetic Engineers with sufficient education and experience can easily grab a teaching position at universities and colleges. There is a section called Research and Development for Genetic Engineers in the Biotech and Pharma industries.
A genetic engineer can work as a lab assistant, research associate, junior researcher, research engineer, or lab manager, lead a team of researchers, or even start their research at home or in labs.
Job Profile
The following is the job profile for the genetic engineering course:
| Job Profile | Description |
|---|---|
| Analytical Genetic Engineering | This field uses computers to model or simulate genetic changes before producing the genetic material in real life. This is also known as in silico genetic modification, as it occurs within a computer’s silicon, following the same naming conventions as meaning in glass and the living body. |
| Chemical Genetic Engineering | Chemical genetic engineering focuses on identifying, separating, and classifying different genes to provide sufficient information for their use in applied genetic engineering. |
| Applied Genetic Engineering | This field puts genetic engineering to practical use, actually manipulating an organism’s genetic material via genetic engineering techniques, modifying their phenotype to exhibit traits that we desire. |
Roles of a Genetic Engineer
The work of a Genetic Engineer can be broadly categorized into the following fields of Interest.
- Study the concepts of Engineering, Biology and Biomechanical principles
- Develop knowledge level by participating in conferences, group discussions, webinars etc.
- Study thoroughly the living organism, which is kept under observation for experiments.
- Examine the environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, wind etc.. and check whether they are favourable for the experiments.
- Share the experimental results with coworkers and present ideas.
Skills of a Genetic Engineer
- Strong analytical skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Consummate laboratory skills
- High-level math skills
Average Salary
Salary packages for genetic engineering are based on qualification, experience, working field, etc. You can get a handsome salary package after gaining sufficient experience in this field.
| Course Name | Average Salary (Rs.) |
| Genetic Engineering | 20,000 to 35,000 per month |
Note: They can earn more in the private sector than in the public sector.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the use of studying genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering has been applied in numerous fields, including research, medicine, industrial biotechnology and agriculture. In research, GMOs study gene function and expression through loss of function, the gain of function, tracking and expression experiments.
What is the disadvantage of genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering could also create unknown side effects or outcomes. Specific changes in a plant or animal could cause unpredicted allergic reactions in some people, which, in their original form, did not occur. Other changes could result in the toxicity of an organism to humans or other plants.
What are the benefits of genetic engineering?
Some benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are increased crop yields, reduced food or drug production costs, reduced need for pesticides, enhanced nutrient composition and food quality, resistance to pests and disease, greater food security, and medical benefits to the world’s growing population.
How does genetic engineering work?
Genetic engineering, also called recombinant DNA technology, involves a group of techniques used to cut up and join together genetic material, especially DNA from different biological species, and introduce the resulting hybrid DNA into an organism to form new combinations of heritable genetic material.
What are the genetic tools?
Genetic tools are already helping doctors make more accurate diagnoses and predict which medications will work best for their patients. Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genetic variations influence our responses to drugs.
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