Biochemistry is a sub-discipline of both chemistry and biology, and this discipline biochemistry may be further divided into three fields –
- Structural Biology
- Enzymology
- Metabolism.
In the 20th century over the last 10 years, the explanations of living processes has become successful through these three disciplines in biochemistry. Researchers use techniques native to Biochemistry , but they also combine these techniques and ideas developed in the fields of genetics , molecular biology and physics.
The study of the chemistry required for biological activity of molecules is called Biochemistry, their biological activity studied in molecular biology , their heredity studied in genetics, which happens to be carried by their genome.
The study of the chemical substances and vital processes occurring in live organisms is Biochemistry. The role, function, and structure of biomolecules has been focused heavily by Biochemists. The applications of biochemistry are the studies of the chemistry behind biological processes and the synthesis of biologically active molecules. Biochemistry studies life at the atomic and molecular level.
Genetics in BiochemistryÂ
It is a field of science in which the effect of genetic differences in organisms is studied and concluded. This is usually explained by the absence of a normal component (e.g. one gene). In the organisms that lack one or more functional components with respect to the so-called “wild type” or normal phenotype ,this is called The study of “mutants” . Epistasis is a kind of Genetic interaction which can be often confounded by simple interpretations of such “knockout” studies.
Molecular Biology
It is a branch of science in which the study is carried out for molecular underpinnings of the biological phenomena, focusing on molecular synthesis, modification, mechanisms and interactions. When genetic material is transcribed into RNA and then translated into protein it is called the central dogma of molecular biology.
Chemical Biology
In this field of science the development of new tools which is based on the small molecules that allows minimal agitation/perturbation of biological systems while providing detailed information about their function. Further, to create non-natural hybrids between biomolecules and synthetic devices, chemical biology employs biological systems.
Other Significant Emerging Fields
There are some other significant emerging scope/fields of Biochemistry which are as follows:
- Animal Biochemistry – deals with composition functions and properties of compounds in animals.
- Plant Biochemistry – study includes photosynthesis, conversion of glucose , generation of heat, respiration and glycolysis study , chemical effects of diseases.
- Enzymology – enzymes , function of enzymes, different types of enzymes.
- Immunology/ Pathology – what is immunity? chemical responsible for immunity
To study the biochemical changes in the diagnosis of a disease.
1. Clinical biochemistry –
- Clinical conditions are diagnosed and estimated on the basis of studying various biochemical changes
- Different kinds of test are conducted such as liver function test, kidney function test, blood test, cholesterol leve is analyzed etc.
2. Food biochemistry/Nutrition –
- To study the requirements and function of the nutrition.
- To specify the food value and(RDA) regulatory daily allowance value of various nutrients.
3. Agriculture Biochemistry –
- To study how we can prevent the various farming techniques like beekeeping , sericulture ,fisheries from severe diseases.
- How to increase their yields etc.
- How to increase the quality of yields and fertility of the farming lands.
- What fertilizers should be used in farming land to increase the yields etc.
4. Pharmacy –
- How to improve the efficiency of drugs.
- How to set the expiry period of drugs
- To study the drug constituents used in the drugs/medicines.
- To reduce the side effects of drugs.
Working Areas of Biochemistry
Pharmaceutical companies are not the only the field of work for biochemists, but also they can work for other employers. The frequent researches has been conducted by biochemist at pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies.
The continued development of new medicines, is the animating spirit of the biotechnical and biopharmaceutical industry and in turn, it is dependent on the foundation of understanding biochemistry to create therapeutics that improve quality of life for patients,”
Becoming professors at colleges or universities after studying Biochemistry, is one of the main career opted by biochemist , and actually working at research institutes, consulting firms, wholesale manufacturers, and diagnostic or forensic laboratories.
Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health are some federal agencies where a Biochemist can work. The drafting/ authoring science textbooks, under the various science writing jobs which is also a kind of job for Biochemists ,other than this working as science journalists .
They could also be hired as advertising or marketing copywriters, since they have the technical training required to precisely describe cutting-edge biochemical products. They can also sell biochemical technologies to hospitals and health care clinics while working as technical salespeople .
A graduated individual in biochemistry field sometimes can also work as science educators at primary and secondary schools. Also pairing different graduate degrees with the biochemistry undergraduate degree will provide a variety of options.
Giving Example, an individual who has studied biochemistry in college can also head to law school and could become a patent lawyer, if heads to medical school could become a doctor or goes to veterinary school to pursue a career as a veterinarian.
Here are a few examples of jobs where a biochemistry degree will always proves to be helpful. Some of these professional jobs require skill specialization in a field besides biochemistry.
- Agricultural scientist.
- Biochemist.
- Biochemistry professor.
- Biochemical engineer.
- Biological or biomedical engineer.
- Chemical engineer.
- Cosmetics developer.
- Federal regulator of biochemical products.
- Fermentation scientist.
- Food researcher and developer.
- Laboratory technician.
- Laboratory scientist.
- Microbiologist.
- Oil and gas scientist.
- Patent lawyer.
- Petroleum engineer.
- Pharmaceutical researcher.
- Pharmacologist.
- Physician.
- Process engineer.
- Science writer.
- Science teacher.
- Veterinarian.
Salary Package for a Biochemist
What is a Biochemist?
The behavioral study of living things at a molecular level to understand the processes that occur is studied by Biochemists. Those Individuals who have chosen their career as biochemists , they study how food and pharmaceutical drugs affect an organism’s biology. The education requirements for Biochemist include the study of various applications in agriculture, environment and the medicine to improve our quality of life.
Biochemist Jobs and Salary
The various jobs and the salary for B.Sc. Biochemistry aspirants is based on their experience and skill of scientific research topics, and areas of specialization. These graduates could get placed very easily in any educational sector or any other company. A B.Sc. Biochemistry aspirant in India per month could get an average salary of around INR 3 – 9 LPA.
The salary package and scope for B.Sc. Biochemistry is mentioned below:
| Designation | Salary |
| 1. Biochemists | INR 8.9 LPA |
| 2. Agriculture Scientist | INR 10 LPA |
| 3. Chemical Engineer | INR 8 LPA |
| 4. Biochemistry Professor | INR 7 LPA |
| 5. Federal Regulator | INR 8 LPA |
B.Sc. Biochemistry Aspirants – Government Jobs
After completing the course B.Sc. biochemistry graduate aspirant could get jobs in several Government Institutes and companies which are listed below:
â—Ź Government Jobs in India for B.Sc. Biochemistry are as listed below:
Government’s top Companies
- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource technology – Project Assistant INR 4 LPA
- Central Institute of Haryana – Jr Research Fellow INR 5 LPA
- National Institute of Immunohematology – Head Scientist INR 20 LPA
- National Institute of Biomedical genomics – Research Associate INR 11 LPA
- Gujarat cancer 7 Research Institute – Professor INR 8 LPA
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