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Education Plus
Studying the future of biotechnology
M. RAGHURAM
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Systems engineering integrated into research methodology
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With research and technology in the biotechnology sector moving to greater and newer frontiers, specialised fields such as molecular mechanisms and systems biology are gaining ground. Systems biology involves a holistic view of all biological processes.
From the molecular level to the size of huge ecosystems on a global scale, the intimate linkages are an essential component of viewing biotechnology from the view point of systems engineering. Such a perspective allows the scientist and technologist to integrate the various complex biological processes into a coherent whole, leading to a deeper understanding and quicker development of technology.
Maulishree Agrahari, an expert on molecular mechanisms and systems at the Department of Biotechnology, PES Institute of Technology, Bangalore, says: “Molecular mechanisms and systems biology are in their nascent stages and are the future of microbiology. We know from international experience that it has a wide scope and applications and we need to delve deeper into the subject. It has to start off as an academic discipline, but the application aspect will come much later — perhaps, three to four years from now.”
G. Sanjay and S. Ananda, senior researchers from the institute, say that the growth of this new field depended on the autonomy in syllabus granted by the universities. It has to be granted and future batches of students will be blessed with a responsive and cutting-edge learning environment.
“Currently, the students are trained to work with standard engineering tools of mathematics and modelling as applied to biological and biotechnological systems.”
Vast coverage
Their studies cover the basics of biology including microbiology, biochemistry, human physiology, immunology, genetics and genetic engineering, engineering mathematics, transport phenomena, numerical methods and programming. The students also move on to study bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics, enzyme technology, protein engineering and in silico drug design. They bridge the gap between the lab and industrial practice by studying bio-reaction engineering, bioprocess control, upstream and downstream processing technology and lab-to-industrial scaling.
The students of B.E. biotechnology also have an opportunity to get involved with the research aspect of their subjects. Besides evoking deeper interest in the subjects they study, it will help them graduate into scientists and pioneering ones at that.
The course thus prepares the student for a career in a wide array of sub-fields in biotechnology. This course blends the best in the world of engineering as well as biology.
Bangalore is the pioneering city in this particular branch of science though there are only few students involved in the study of the subject.
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