Comparison Between Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering

By Mohsin Khan Pathan

Biotechnology and Biomedical engineering are highly inter-disciplinary branches of study. These specializations can be twisted together, but their scope and applications differ considerably.

Though they are related with each other but the students must understand and compare them very carefully before opting for a career depending upon their areas of interest. If it’s a matter of choosing a career, students must understand at least the basic differences between these two specializations.

Biotechnology covers a broader scope in natural sciences, while the principles of biomedical engineering mainly on medicine and engineering principles. Both are upcoming and promising fields that has significantly contributed & helped in improving the quality of life.

Main Difference:

Biotechnology is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make useful products, or "any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use"

Biomedical broadly refers to the application of engineering and technology principles to the domain of living or biological systems.

It is involved in developing innovative biology, materials, processes, implants, devices and informatics approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, for patient rehabilitation, and for improving health.

Biomedical engineering is mainly concerned with the facts, theories and models describing biological and clinical phenomena, including other subjects such as physiology, virology, biochemistry, molecular biology and proteomics. It is the most widely applied in development of engineering solutions to both biological and clinical areas.

Both biotechnology as well as biomedical engineering overlap to some extent, but are different. Both are upcoming, sunrise fields that have bright career future.

Basically, if a student has interest in medicine, then Biomedical Engineering may be a better choice, whereas if the student is more interested in biology and microbiology, in such a cases biotechnology may be opted.

Difference in course and core areas:

Biotechnology: The areas of studies and subjects covered under this are mainly molecular cell biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, systems biology and statistics which introduce students to the fundamental concepts of modern biology, including cell biology, experimental techniques and data handling, genomics and proteomics. The student will have to understand basics of traditional engineering disciplines and biology to solve problems encountered in health care. It also the basic sciences, mathematics, engineering and life sciences understanding.

Biomedical engineering: The main focus of study is to develop innovative techniques in biology, materials, processes, implants, devices and informatics approaches so as to help in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment & prevention of diseases.

It mainly involves bio-instrumentation, biomaterials, imaging, and biomedical devices. The study of biomedical engineering prepare students to help engineers who design and build medical systems. Students learn to install and test products such as Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), Positron emission tomography (PET), electron microscopes, pacemakers, cochlear implants. They also learn to calibrate, maintain, and repair medical instruments.

Career scope:

Biomedical engineering: Historically, the biggest successes under this field are related to vaccines, agriculture, cloning, bio-fuels, industrial enzymes, and drugs. The areas of study covers the subjects like of genetics, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry etc. This course helps to anticipate the special difficulties in working with living systems and to evaluate & explorer a wide range of possible applications. They are mostly employed by health services, medical equipment manufacturers and scientific research.

Biotechnology: It has a broad areas of application in the filed like health care, agriculture, environment, pollution control, waste management, mining, energy production, forestry and aquaculture and food industrial processing. Most common applications of biotechnology are production of disease resistant and nutritionally enhanced crops, gene therapy, genetic screening and enzymes that act as industrial catalysts. Biotechnology is also applied in the areas of pollution control, waste management, mining, energy production, forestry and aquaculture. Your focus of work will be with DNA, tissues, micro-organisms, viruses, and complex proteins. You are working with DNA, tissues, micro-organisms, viruses, and complex proteins.

As it deals with the alteration gene of living organisms and plants, currently controversies have arised over the production of genetically modified organisms or food that may leads to damage the balance of nature in future, if applied indiscreetly.

Although the concept of Biotechnology is not new to the world but the areas of specializations are coming with modern terminology. As in recent years, the world is concentrating & funding mainly on biological research. Despite the world achieving a land mark in technological research, yet many health related problems such as Diabetes, Cancer and other health related problems are not yet fully solved. So Biomedical & Biotechnology has the greatest potential to resolve these problems. So currently & coming years there is great demand for professionals in both the fields in India and well as abroad.

Salary Package:

Biomedical engineering: A fresher graduate can easily get the job at a starting salary of Rs.20,000-30,000 per month in India. In abroad & Gulf countries, the salary package might be around Rs.60,000 to 80,000 per month.

Biotechnology– A fresher graduate can easily get the job at a starting salary of Rs.30,000 – Rs.35,000 per month in India. In abroad & Gulf countries, the salary package might be somewhere around Rs.80,000 to 110,000 per month.

Option of Higher Studies:

After completing bachelor degree in either of the above specialization, students have equal & broad options for higher studies in India as well in abroad. Furthermore, after completing their degree program each field have the opportunity to opt for the further specializations:

Biomedical engineering

• Masters in Bioinstrumentation/ Biomaterials/ Medical imaging/Clinical Engineering/ Neuroengineering
• Masters in Science
• Masters in Business Administrations
• M.Phil
• Ph.D

Biotechnology

• Masters in Molecular Biotechnology/ Stem Cell Biology/ Applied Biotechnology/ Bioinformatics Analyst/
• Masters in Science
• Masters in Business Administrations
• M.Phil
• Ph.D

About the author:

Dr. Mohsin Khan Pathan is B.VSc. & A.H and post graduated in M.Sc.(Biotechnology) and served for 20 years in abroad in the field of Biotechnology. Currently, he holds a position as the President of Technical Education & Training Board.