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Biotechnology Research & Development

Biotechnology research and development (R&D) focuses on cellular life processes to assist in the diagnosis of diseases, produce more effective pharmaceutical drugs, improve disease therapies and generate enhanced consumer products. Biotechnical researchers study microscopic organisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, protozoa or microscopic fungi and algae) and subcellular components (e.g., DNA, RNA and enzymes) to determine their effects on the environment or the human body. They work in laboratories to analyze samples and collect data that help companies develop new products and techniques, such as vaccines, disease-resistant food crops, enzymatic cleaning products, biofuels and gene therapies.

  1. Components

    • Research and development has three components: basic research, applied research and development of products. Basic research gathers data only to further scientific knowledge. With questionable application potential, basic research garners the least amount of attention in corporate R&D. Applied research focuses on product or technique development; it solves a problem in the marketplace (e.g., cancer research to develop new drugs and therapies). Development applies the data from research to create actual products. To complete the research and development process, scientists test these products before releasing them to consumers.

    Procedure

    • Scientists start their biotechnology R&D by meeting with company executives and other stakeholders to discuss research goals. Then, the researchers conduct experiments at the cellular and subcellular level. Once they analyze the data collected, they can develop and test a product or therapy. Some biotechnology R&D may be done in hospitals to analyze the effects of drugs or therapies on actual patients.

    Biotechnology Scientists

    • Biotechnology researchers generally hold a doctorate degree in biology or a related subfield. They have studied biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, laboratory procedures, mathematics, microbiology and physics. Scientists can specialize in a particular subfield, such as agronomy, botany, medicine, or veterinary science.

    Industries and Funding

    • The pharmaceutical industry employs the majority of biotechnology scientists, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Agricultural companies, universities and the federal government also utilize biotechnology R&D. Funding may come from the employer or from corporations, such as the Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation, or nonprofit foundations, such as the Rockefeller Foundation. According to the National Science Board, $1 billion of biotechnology R&D was funded by consumer companies in 2001.

    Trends

    • According to the BLS, our aging population and the need for new drug and health care therapies will drive demand for biotechnology research and development. Bioinformatics, a new offshoot of biotechnology, uses information technology to analyze genetic data. Research in the field could aid in the development of gene therapies. The BLS identifies California, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey as having the highest employment in the research and development industry.

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