Career in Molecular Biology

Introduction::

Molecular biology is the study of the structure and function of living systems at the molecular level, focusing particularly on genes and the DNA from which they are made. In other words it is the study of biology at a molecular level. The field overlaps with other areas of biology, particularly genetics and biochemistry. Molecular biology chiefly concerns itself with understanding the interactions between the various systems of a cell, including the interrelationship of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis and learning how these interactions are regulated.

Molecular biologists aims to understand the functions of cells at a molecular level. For example, how are cellular processes such as movement, cell division and energy production performed by the molecules that make up cells? These are particularly fascinating problems because microorganisms can inhabit extreme environments from geothermal plumes on the ocean floor to arctic ice. The aim of this group of allied disciplines is to understand how the molecules within a particular cell type carry out these specialized functions.

The academic programmes include instruction on the molecular basis of gene regulation in microbial and animal cells, the biological features of different types of micro-organisms, the molecular basis for animal development, the structure of animal cells and the functions of their internal organelles, the molecular basis for cancer and other diseases, the interaction of animal cells with micro-organisms and viruses, and the application of recombinant DNA techniques to problems in basic science and biotechnology.

Nature of Work:

Molecular and cell biologists study molecular aspects of various cellular structures and processes. Molecular and cell biologists can work on finding cures to various diseases by studying genes and how they mutate to cause diseases (such as cancer). Drug companies are always researching new products and molecular and cell biologists are a part of that research. They can work on developing therapeutic drugs to working on stem cell research and in many other areas within the medical development field. A molecular and cell biologist may find themselves working on research that involves cloning, sub cloning, synthetic RNA transcription, gene expression, cell growth and development, cell and organelle structure and assembly, and DNA dynamics and chromosome structure, and other types of laboratory work. Recording and analyzing various types of data is an important part of working as a molecular and cell biologist and will often be a part of one’s job. Applying research to help solve health problems and to help cure diseases will also be an option for molecular and cell biologists.

Eligibilty:

In order to make a career in Molecular Biology one should have studied Biology at the Intermediate and Graduation Level. A B.Sc. in Genetics, Microbiology, Zoology or Botany also fulfills the eligibility criteria of pursuing M.Sc in Molecular Biology.