If you liked playing with Legos as a kid, or rearranging the blocks to get a new structure every time got you ecstatic, imagine doing the same on a genetic level to a living organism.
As a Genetic Engineer, some might say you get to play God.
From Bt Cotton and the Green Revolution to synthetic Insulin, humans have come a long way in applying their knowledge of genes to modify organisms. All thanks to Genetic Engineering.
First, let us take a look at what exactly this Genetic Engineering is!
What is Genetic Engineering?
Every living organism has its genetic information stored at a molecular level in its DNA (DeoxyRibonucleic Acid) or RNA (RiboNucleic Acid). Genetic Engineering provides us with the technology to modify that.
The process technically involves manipulating the genetic material by adding or deleting certain genetic sequences to get the desired result. The modified being is now called a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO).
Some examples of successful GMOs throughout history that have revolutionized the field and increased the scope of Genetic Engineering by leaps and bounds are as follows:
- Synthetic Hormones
- Clones
- Insulin
- Golden Rice
- Bt Cotton
- Pest Resistant Crops
- Longer Lasting Tomatoes
How To Become a Genetic Engineer?
There are several options when it comes to Genetic Engineering courses after 12th standard. Being a specialized branch of Biotechnology, a student has multiple options to choose from in their undergraduate levels.
Let's take a look at the most commonly pursued degrees and their eligibility criteria in order to get Genetic Engineering jobs in India.
Undergraduate Courses:
| Course Name | Eligibility |
| Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Genetics/ Genetic Engineering/ Biotechnology | The candidate should have cleared their 10+2 or equivalent examinations with a minimum aggregate marks of 50%. |
| Bachelor of Engineering (BE)/ Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Genetic Engineering | The candidate should have cleared their 10+2 or equivalent examinations with a minimum aggregate marks of 50% and with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Maths as compulsory subjects. |
Postgraduate Courses:
| Course Name | Eligibility |
| Master of Science (M.Sc) in Genetics/ Genetic Engineering/ Biotechnology | The candidate should have obtained their undergraduate degree in a related field, with a minimum aggregate marks of 55%. |
| Master of Engineering (ME)/ Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Genetic Engineering | The candidate should have cleared their BE/ B.Tech in a relevant field, with a minimum aggregate marks of 55%. They should have secured the minimum qualifying marks in entrance examinations like the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). |
Before taking a peek into the Genetic Engineering colleges in Bangalore, let's know a bit about what these courses offer in terms of knowledge and expertise:
- Basic principles of Engineering.
- In-depth knowledge of Chemistry to understand how things work at the molecular level.
- Sterilization techniques and topics related to Microbiology.
- Principles of Immunology.
- Recombinant DNA Technology.
- Application of Genetic Engineering.
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics.
- Plant and Animal Cell Culture Techniques.
Genetic Engineering Colleges in Bangalore:
Mentioned below are five of the top Genetic Engineering colleges in Bangalore that one can take admission in and explore the scope of Genetic Engineering.
- The Oxford College of Science
- Garden City College
- M.S. Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce
- Kristu Jayanti College
- Dayananda Sagar University
And also read :Top 25 Engineering Colleges in Bangalore
Genetic Engineering Jobs in India:
As a Genetic Engineer, one is mostly involved in research and development. The number of sectors where Genetic Engineers are in demand are numerous and varied. A few are mentioned below:
Sectors:
- Agriculture
- Forensics
- Research Centres
- Hospitals
- Government Agencies
- Pharmaceutical Companies
Top Recruiters:
- TATA Medical Centre
- National Institute of Immunology
- The Institute of Genomic and Integrative Biology
- Centre for DNA Fingerprint and Diagnostics
What does a Genetic Engineer do?
The day-to-day responsibilities that come with the job profile of Genetic Engineering jobs in India include the following:
- Conducting laboratory tests, research and clinical trials.
- Analyzing the results and drawing conclusions relevant to the experiment.
- Use an array of tools and techniques to extract, examine, and modify genetic material of the organism under study.
- Stay updated on the latest breakthroughs in the field of Genetics and Genetic Engineering.
Salary:
On average, the Genetic Engineering salary ranges between Rs. 3,00,000 to Rs. 4,00,000 per annum, depending on experience level and expertise.
The pay scale in the government sector is lower than that in the private sector. While the industry is up and coming in India, salary prospects are much more lucrative abroad, in first world countries.
Key Takeaway:
The field of Genetic Engineering is extremely specialized and requires one to pursue higher degrees after their graduation. People with higher education in the subject get a higher Genetic Engineering salary.
It is mostly research based, but if you are curious about what goes on at the genetic level and have a scientific bent of mind, the field is rewarding to its students.
Now that you know how to become a Genetic Engineer, apply to the top Genetic Engineering colleges in Bangalore and pursue a wide variety of Genetic Engineering courses after 12th.
