Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
16:05
Using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) to Develop Diagnostic Tools
Published on: October 1, 2007
So, what's it really like to work in biotech?
1Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA. belmont.lisa@gene.com
Molecular Biology of the Cell
|January 12, 2013
Summary
Biotechnology scientists apply molecular biology skills in industry teams, trading academic freedom for product development. This shift enables tangible impacts on human and environmental health.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Industry Science
Background:
- Scientific training in molecular biology is foundational for both academic and industrial research.
- Industrial biotechnology roles involve diverse team collaborations, differing from academic settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To offer insights into the daily professional life of a scientist in the biotechnology industry.
- To compare the application of molecular biology skills in academic versus industrial environments.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative insights drawn from personal experience in biotechnology companies of varying sizes (4 to 80,000+ employees).
Main Results:
- While core molecular biology training is consistent, its application diverges significantly between academia and industry.
- Industrial settings necessitate teamwork within large, multidisciplinary groups.
- A trade-off exists between the intellectual freedom in academia and the product-oriented outcomes in industry.
Conclusions:
- Industrial biotechnology offers a unique career path where scientific expertise contributes directly to product development.
- The collaborative nature of industry science can lead to impactful innovations benefiting human and environmental health.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Upstream Processing
Upstream processing represents a critical phase in biomanufacturing, wherein biological systems such as microorganisms, mammalian cells, or insect cells are cultivated to produce therapeutic proteins, vaccines, enzymes, or other biologically derived products. This phase encompasses all steps from the selection and genetic manipulation of the production organism to the cultivation of cells in bioreactors under tightly controlled environmental conditions.Host Selection and Genetic OptimizationThe...
02:55Synthetic Biology
Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary science that involves using principles from disciplines such as engineering, molecular biology, cell biology, and systems biology. It involves remodeling existing organisms from nature or constructing completely new synthetic organisms for applications such as protein or enzyme production, bioremediation, value-added macromolecule production, and the addition of desirable traits to crops, to name a few.
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
01:59Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
Crop cultivation has a long history in human civilization, with records showing the cultivation of cereal plants beginning at around 8000 BC. This early plant breeding was developed primarily to provide a steady supply of food.
01:30Production of Pharmaceuticals
Industrial insulin production uses genetically engineered E. coli expressing a proinsulin gene controlled by a tryptophan promoter and containing a methionine linker for later cleavage. The cells also carry ampicillin resistance for selective growth. Seed cultures are stored at −80 °C and production begins by thawing a small amount to inoculate starter cultures, which are progressively scaled to a 50,000-L bioreactor. In the bioreactor, E. coli grow in nutrient-rich media under sterile, tightly...
01:29Bioreactor Design and Operational System
Bioreactors are engineered vessels designed to cultivate microorganisms under controlled conditions for industrial bioprocessing. They maintain sterility and allow precise regulation of pH, temperature, oxygen, and nutrient levels to optimize microbial growth and metabolite production. Bioreactors range from small laboratory units of 1 liter to industrial systems holding up to 500,000 liters, though only about 75% of their volume is actively used for fermentation. The remaining headspace...
01:19Overview of Biostatistics in Health Sciences
Biostatistics involves the application of statistical techniques to scientific research in health-related fields, including biology and public health. These techniques are essential for designing studies, collecting data, and analyzing it to draw meaningful conclusions. Given the complexity of biological processes, particularly in studies involving human subjects, biostatistical methods are crucial for effectively organizing and interpreting data that might otherwise obscure underlying patterns...