Bio-Engineering, as is evident from the title, is a blend of two fields, biology and engineering. This interesting field of study covers aspects of biomaterials, energy and the environment and combines them into engineered technology. Simply put, this is the study of applied engineering practices in the subject of general biology.
Biomedical engineering is a field that may sound similar yet is not. Biomedical engineering has many differences and is a more specific and smaller topic as compared to bioengineering which is a broader one.
Bioengineering covers diverse subjects, such as – pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, agriculture, natural resources and many others. Medical practices are also covered, but not as much in detail as in Biomedical engineering. The practices of bioengineering are applied to the healthcare industry, although it is not meant specifically for medical purposes.
A B. Tech. in Bioengineering will appeal to all those who are interested in applied biological sciences. This course will equip students to solve problems that are biological in nature by creating theoretical outlines and combining engineering principles with environmental and agricultural expertise.
In this blog, you will get all the relevant information needed to understand what pursuing a career in bioengineering entails. It will cover an introduction to the subject, the skills required for this course, scope, career and job opportunities available after successful completion of this course. A brief outline of the roles and responsibilities of the various jobs available will further acquaint you with this industry.
As is the case with all courses, this course too calls for certain key skills in candidates. These skills go a long way in defining whether the candidate has an aptitude for a particular course and also helps the candidates in taking a career decision. A combination of both technical and soft skills is essential.
Some of the key skills that are needed are –
The scope of this emerging field is very promising and immense. Job prospects are available both in India and overseas. Those students who have a strong foundation in science and mathematics and are interested in further enhancing their knowledge are ideal candidates for this course. They should also be eager to learn more about the developments in these subjects. With new technologies coming up, the candidates get a chance to work and experiment with those too.
The candidate gets the option to choose from several branches after completing this course. The branches that they can choose from are – Biomimetics, Bio Instrumentation, Management and Cellular Engineering. Bioengineering offers wide-ranging applications and knowledge areas.
This field is constantly evolving and so is the scope. Let us have a look at the various sectors where bioengineering is applied and used.
Bioengineers use their team players’ skills here, working in close coordination with health care professionals. They have to interact with doctors, nurses, technicians, therapists etc to arrive at solutions for a wide range of problems.
Bioengineers are responsible for designing devices, instruments and software for developing new procedures or solving clinical problems. Bioengineering has created many of the effective and revolutionary health care techniques and products that are commonly used these days. The development of artificial knees, hips and a host of other prosthetic implants is the creation of bioengineering.
Imaging techniques like MRI, ultrasound etc are also a result of bioengineering. This field has successfully contributed to the enhancement of healthcare through the development of pacemakers, dialysis machines, diagnostic equipment etc. A student of bioengineering can choose to pursue biomedical engineering, clinical engineering or opt for research in product safety and testing and establish the safety standards of medical equipment.
Genetically engineered or genetically modified foods, are those in which the DNA or the source organism has been artificially treated or modified. The objective is to alter the traits of the organism.
Polymers are molecules that are found in the common daily use plastic and rubber. Bioengineers have developed a unique and novel way of producing plastic, without using fossil fuels. This path-breaking research will see environmentally conscious plastic being manufactured, through natural and renewable sources. This plastic will be biodegradable with very low toxicity for human beings.
Bioengineering is a fast evolving and growing field. Bioengineering creates a market for genetically engineered products. The new tools in bioengineering allow highly specific RNA and DNA editing. Gene editing borrows from the bacteria’s natural denfese system and alters and cuts the DNA. Bioengineering is used in a variety of contexts, including agricultural and therapeutic.
Collaborative work to build and test technologies is undertaken here. These research centers aim at technology transfer for the improvement of healthcare delivery though innovation and research. The focus areas are to ensure affordable and portable diagnostics, bio medical devices, drug delivery and biomanufacturing.
There are several research centers both in India and overseas for the same.
Almost all the modern medical devices need software to function. A biomedical software engineer’s responsibility is to ensure the effective functioning of the software. They are also in charge of the development of algorithms that are required for data analysis and biological system modelling. Bioengineers can use their computer skills to design applications that match the devices that are built. The medical devices of patients can be customized using computer software. The right materials and designs are selected for each individual according to their unique requirements.
Some of the bioengineering firms are –
• Medtronic
• Baxter International
The biomedical engineers are responsible for drug administering devices such as insulin pumps and automatic drug injectors etc. They also design, build and test such devices. Innovative treatments for patients are also looked at.
At present India is the largest provider of generic medicines. Accounts for a market share of 20% of worldwide supply by volume. In India some of the leading pharma manufacturers are – Sun Pharma, Divi’s laboratories, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Cipla etc.
The top research and development companies in the world are – AstraZeneca, Merck & Co., Inc. (aka MSD), Moderna Therapeutics, Healx, Inovio Pharmaceuticals Owkin etc.
Some of the organizations that are well known in this field are –
Bioengineering has ample job opportunities. Depending on your specialization, you can take up the job roles and responsibilities. Some of them are:
In this job role, the biomedical technician, designs and develops tools and equipment that are needed in the treatment and diagnosis of patients. This is done by using computers and electronic devices. These devices run digitally and are very advanced.
The biomedical engineer specializes in analysing tissues and cells, through a microscope. They are adept at handling technical problems and resolving them. They analyse the occurrences at the cellular level for an analysis of the disease and then find solutions for the same.
These professionals collaborate with physicians and health care employees to
use medical equipment in hospitals and healthcare. Their primary
responsibility is to oversee the use of modern and advanced equipment and
tools in healthcare centres and hospitals. They also implement the
technologies.
An orthopaedic bioengineer specializes in the design and development of equipment for patients who are suffering from bones, ligaments, joints and muscles problems. In order to make the human body flexible for those suffering from these issues, most of the developed devices, are implanted in the body. The orthopaedic bioengineer takes the inputs from the orthopaedic surgeon and collaborates with him to address individual product needs,
This professional, designs and develops devices that can be fitted into the human body for the treatment of individual patients. This is a responsible job role as the device must be safe for the individual patient and must be structured with the most appropriate dimension. This is a highly skilled job as the size and dimensions must be extremely accurate.
A clinical engineer helps medical institutions and hospitals in applying
technology that is used in healthcare. The digital databases of medical
equipment, and maintaining and managing the equipment records is also a
major part of the job role.
This job requires close coordination with physicians, for work. It also
requires fulfilling the unique requirements of the doctors and hospitals and
facilitating the adaptation of equipment that has been customised for their
use. Medical product development and manufacturing companies can offer
them employment and their job responsibility can cover product design,
sales and support.
The professor imparts education to the students in a particular field. The curriculum is to be adhered to and changes made as and when required. Those professors who want to conduct research usually do so and then later submit their research papers and findings.
The biomaterials engineer study how natural or laboratory-designed substances can be used in medical implants and devices.
They are responsible for solving medical and biological problems through the study of thermodynamics and other systems.
They collect, organize, analyse opinions and data. The objective is to explore issues, solve problems and predict trends. They also try and find out innovative means of approaching various functions that are performed. Increased efficiency and optimal use of resources through research is also part of their responsibility.
They are also referred to as Quality Assurance Engineers. Their main responsibility is to develop, implement and maintain the quality systems. The product quality is controlled by these systems. The measurement, monitoring and control of product and process quality is done by them.
These engineers are instrumental in developing software for businesses and developing systems for the same. The network control systems to operating systems are all maintained by them. They also design, develop and test systems or applications based on the specifications given by the users.
If this emerging fusion field of engineering, intrigues you and you feel you have the skills for this particular career, then join the leaders in bioengineering education.
Join MIT- ADT University, to explore all its’ wonderful intricacies. MIT School of Bioengineering Science and Research (MITBIO) is built on the strong foundation of imparting the best in education. Apply now for B. Tech. Bio Engineering!
It is now time for you to create a mark in the world of bioengineering by filling in the form here: http://bit.ly/ApplyNow_MIT-ADTU
The exciting world of bioengineering awaits you!
