The amalgamation of Biology with Technology is termed as “Biotechnology”. This field utilizes cellular and biomolecular processes to create new technologies and processes that facilitate the development of new products as well as bringing improvement in existing products. Example – Bread, preserved dairy products like cheese, etc. Biotechnology positively impacts several fields such as Agriculture, Food processing, Energy and the Environment amongst others.

The field of biotechnology also plays an extremely crucial role in the development of medicines and vaccines. Areas such as Biopharmaceutical, Pharmaco-Genomics, Genetics extensively use biotech enabled methods to discover and cure life-threatening diseases. Example – Human insulin which is used to treat diabetes is made in genetically engineered bacteria (a biotech process).

The COVID19 pandemic has presented a severe crisis for humanity and Biotechnology seems to be the only hope to save lives. Researchers across the countries are utilizing biotechnology tools to develop an effective vaccine against infectious disease. In the past Biotechnology has helped to eradicate viruses like SARS, Influenza, Zika amongst others and that’s the reason why biotech companies and research organizations are optimistic for the COVID19 vaccine as well.

Apart from its challenges, COVID19 has simultaneously brought several opportunities. Now, the entire Biotech industry is going through a wave of evolution. Governments are focussed on R&D like never before. This evolution will definitely bring new job and research opportunities for the students hence redefining the scope of biotechnology