A Biochemist is a scientist who studies the chemical characteristics of living creatures including microorganisms, vegetation, mammals, and people. Biological mechanisms, inheritance, pathogen growth, and illness are among the topics studied. Experiments are carried out on a regular basis, with the results evaluated. In a lab setting, biochemists frequently collaborate with biophysicists. The vast majority work for governmental and commercial research organizations, with a significant percentage also working for educational institutions, the pharmaceuticals sector, and chemical production companies. A biochemist must complete several activities in order to conduct biochemical research. A biochemist is in charge of producing studies to enhance investigations, as well as organizing sophisticated scientific initiatives and conducting appropriate tests. They are frequently charged with creating investigations and tests to investigate the effects of medicines, pheromones, and fats on a certain microscopic system. Biochemists may identify, analyze, or manufacture chemicals and organisms throughout these studies.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must possess at least 50% aggregate from a recognized institution in 12th, from any board PUC/CBSE/ICSE/ISC, etc. However, the cut-off margin varies with the selection process of different colleges.
• Should procure a valid score in entrance exams such as JEE-Main, KIITEE, SRMJEE, CEE, HITSEE, CET, etc. Different colleges offer their entrance exams if you don’t have a satisfactory score in JEE or other competitive exams – colleges like NMIMS, Symbiosis International University, XUB, Andhra University, LPU, etc. Every state offers its entrance exam as well.
• One must earn a degree in MBBS or a Diploma to become a Biochemist. This is a basic qualification you must require to enroll in this line of work.
• An M.Sc in Biochemistry can also prove to be helpful while looking for a higher degree and better learning.

Tasks to perform

• Examine the nature, structure, or regulation of gene expression, or look at how genetic modification may affect these activities.
• Determine the impacts on bodily processes by isolating, analysing, or synthesising nutrients, regulators, antigens, ions, or catalysts.
• Publishing scientific publications or giving talks at professional journals are two ways to share scientific literature.
• Investigate how botanical or vertebrate traits are passed down across descendants.
• Create or run tests to identify illnesses, genetic problems, and other anomalies.

Knowledge required

• Biological Knowledge – Awareness and a brief understanding of the working principles behind different genera and species of animals and plants, their interaction with the environment, relationship with the ecosystem, etc.
• Chemical Dexterity — Able to understand the chemical structure and composition of substances available in the environment. Includes the understanding of changes, interactions between different substances, methods of production, and safe disposal of toxic substances.
• English Grammar — Familiarity in English Grammar, the form, and substance of the English language, along with the context and pronunciation of words, principles of grammar, and language.
• Computer Application — Understanding the prospects and functioning of circuit boards, processing units, circuits, electrical devices, computer equipment, plus applications and programming.
• Apprehension of Physics — Predictive analytics of basic phenomena, laws, their interactions, and fluid, substance, and air mechanics interpretation techniques, and mechanical, electric, atomic and subatomic structures and processes understanding.

Skills required

• Rational interpretation – Use of rationality and inference to distinguish the positives and disadvantages of creative improvements, assumptions, or responses to situations.
• Surveillance — Entails keeping track of and evaluating your own, other people's, or organisations' results in order to make changes or take disciplinary measures.
• Critical Analysis — Learning and identifying the strengths and weaknesses along with providing solutions and countermeasures to reduce the impact of potential problems.
• Surveillance — Entails keeping track of and evaluating your own, other people's, or organisations' results in order to make changes or take disciplinary measures.
• Processes Assessment — Entails identifying metrics or indices of service quality as well as the steps required to enhance or change effectiveness in relation to the system's objectives.

Job roles offered

Once you procure the required qualifications for becoming a Biochemist, a myriad of options is open to you. There are multiple projects you can undertake throughout this line of work, and there are many other fields you can branch out to as well.

• Nanotechnologist: Nanotechnology is concerned with the study and use of extremely small things that may be utilized in biochemistry, physiology, physics, materials science, and engineering, among other fields. Engineers who pursue a career as nanotechnologists can take on a wide range of responsibilities and work in a wide range of fields. Other nanotechnologists place a premium on using cells and molecules in their design and technology. Nanotechnologists also develop items that promote human health and the environment, such as dietary supplements. Nanotechnology is concerned with the study and use of extremely small things that may be utilized in biochemistry, physiology, physics, materials science, and engineering, among other fields. Engineers who pursue a career as nanotechnologists can take on a wide range of responsibilities and work in a wide range of fields. Other nanotechnologists place a premium on using cells and molecules in their design and technology. Nanotechnologists also develop items that promote human health and the environment, such as dietary supplements.
• Toxicologist: A toxicologist is a scientist who investigates the presence of poisons or compounds in body fluids and tissue samples during autopsies. They operate in labs and employ a variety of techniques to find dangerous amounts of pharmaceuticals or other toxins in the human body. A toxicologist will measure the amounts detected and decide if they contributed significantly to the patient's death if hazardous substances are found. Furthermore, many toxicologists assist in the resolution of criminal cases and will testify in court in support of their laboratory findings. Toxicology provides essential understanding and expertise that may be utilized by regulatory authorities, moral choice, and others to develop programs and policies that restrict human exposure to hazardous chemicals, avoiding or lowering the risk of illness or other adverse health outcomes.
• Laboratory Director: The laboratory's medical director is a sufficiently qualified professional who is legally, socially, and humanly accountable for the agency's extent, requirements, and excellence. The medical director has expertise and abilities in management, training and instruction, investigation, and healthcare organizations, among other areas of practice. The director is in charge of making medically valuable, correct information provided by physicians in a timely manner in order to improve medical services. The director is involved in all strategy formulation and oversees the laboratory's activities, including performance appraisal, includes operations, equipment procurement, regulatory compliance, quality inspection, security, operating hours, patient registration, and utilization management.
• Pharmaceutical Scientist: A pharmaceutical scientist is someone who does research to help with medication production, evaluation, and identification. These individuals are generally bench-level scientists tasked with carrying out tests as part of a collaborative research endeavor aimed at bringing novel medicines to market. Pharmaceutical scientists are frequently employed by pharmacological or biotechnology firms that specialize in treatments development. Given the exploratory quality of the tasks, academically inclined children are generally drawn to this profession. Working to develop potentially life-saving medicines and enhance people's general health may also be extremely rewarding. Pharmaceutical scientists carry out a range of activities on a daily basis in order to assist drug discovery research. This job is frequently carried out in a laboratory environment and is primarily concerned with experimenting. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms are the most common employers, however, there are also positions available in contract research organizations (CROs), educational institutions, and processing equipment.
• Research Chemists:Chemical substances and their interactions are studied by research chemists. Professionals in this sector might work for a variety of firms, including those in cosmetology, telecommunications, and industrial applications. Aspiring research chemists should have at least a bachelor's degree and some job experience. Research chemists operate in government laboratories or for commercial companies, utilizing their understanding of chemical processes to look into clinical applications or other scientific breakthroughs. Aesthetics, semiconductors, and medicines are among the materials and systems that research chemists invent and enhance. Everything in the environment is made up of organic substances, and a research chemist studies those substances to see how they combine with other chemicals.

Career opportunities

Biochemists can opt for various fields of work in the companies listed below:

• SRL Diagnostics
• Thermo Fisher Scientific India
• Biocon Biologics
• String Bio Private Limited
• Avantor
• Cytiva
• Clarivate
• PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Kaplan
• Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd

Colleges offering courses

• Kirori Mal College - [KMC], New Delhi
• St. Xavier's College, Mumbai
• Sri Venkateswara College, New Delhi
• Psg College of Arts And Science, Coimbatore
• Mithibai College of Arts, Mumbai
• Pd Patel Institute of Applied Sciences - [PDPIAS], Gujara
• Ethiraj College For Women, Chennai
• Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College, Mumbai
• Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences For Women, New Delhi
• Kristu Jayanti College - [KJC], Bangalore