What is Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is most easily defined as the field devoted to
improving human health through the research, development,
testing and marketing of products related to the biomedical and
agricultural industries. Some of these products include the
following:
Pharmaceuticals:
Synthetic drugs, new vaccines, gene-replacement therapies
Biologics:
Discovery and isolation of natural components such as
hormones,
antibodies and proteins
Diagnostics:
Home and clinical detection kits for pregnancy, ulcers,
cancer, strep throat, and allergens
Agriculture:
"Stay-fresh" tomatoes, frost-and-disease-resistant crops,
biopesticides
Biotechnology is a rapidly growing industry. Currently one third
of the nation's biotechnology companies reside in California. In
fact, there are over 500 companies located throughout San Diego
County devoted to biotechnology, bioscience, and biomedicine.
Workforce Needs
-
The industrial landscape of San Diego Country is changing.
The roots in research that helped start the local industry
now bears the fruit of decades of diligence and more and
more companies are moving their products through the
development pipeline and intro larger stages of production.
Jobs exist at all stages of product development.
-
For every Ph.D. scientist hired in this expanding industry,
a support staff of trained laboratory technicians is needed
- people who know how to:
-
use laboratory equipment and
chemicals safely
-
perform analytical testing
-
calibrate and maintain equipment
-
maintain laboratory notebooks documenting procedures,
data collections and protocols
-
assist research by performing a variety of laboratory
tasks related to:
MiraCosta College
offers several avenues of study to obtain the necessary skills
required for entry-level employment in this dynamic and diverse
industry.
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