GENETIC ENGINEERING Introduction

Genetic Engineering, is a laboratory technique used by scientists to change the DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid) of living organisms. This branch of engineering science enables the human minds to have an insight on and modify the processes of life, birth’s death and even offers escape from certain congenital diseases. There is great scope in this field as the demand for genetic engineers is growing both in India and abroad.

Genetic engineers/scientists re-arrange the sequence of DNA in genes using artificial methods. The work involves extracting the DNA out of one organism, changing it using chemicals or radiation and subsequently putting it back into the same or a different organism. For e.g.: genes and segments of DNA from one species is taken and put into another species. They also study how traits and characteristics are transmitted through the generations, and how genetic disorders are caused. Their research

involves researching the causes and discovering potential cures if any.

The specializations in genetic engineering are related to plants, animals and human beings. The plant genetic engineering involves improving certain natural characteristics of value like colour,size texture etc of plants otherwise known as GM (Genetically Modi- fied) foods. GE in humans can be used to correct severe hereditary defects by introducing normal genes into cells in place of missing or defective ones. Genetic engineering is a complicated branch of science which is still in the process of development in our country.

Courses & Eligibility

An individual aspiring for a career in genetic engineering can start the BTech course after his/her Plus Two Science with Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology. Admission to B.Tech in Genetic Engineering/ Biotechnology/ Biochemical Engineering is made generally through entrance tests.

One can also pursue a three-year B.Sc degree course in Genetics / Biological Science / Life Science / Biotechnology subjects and then go for post graduation (MSc) in genetics.

Those interested in further study and research can pursue M.Tech and PhD in genetic engineering offered by few institutes in India including the IITs.

Career Prospects and Remuneration

In India, there are several sectors that give employment to genetic engineers.They can be hired in medical and pharmaceutical industries, agricultural sectors and in research and development departments of the government, semi-government and private sectors. The pharmaceutical and bio-technology industries offer the best opportunities to genetic engineers with handsome remuneration which can range between Rs. 15,000- Rs. 25,000 for a fresh graduate in India. The pay-package in foreign countries is very high as compared to India due to complexity of job and shortage of trained professionals.

Institutes/Universities Offering Btech/Mtech courses

SRM University
SRM Nagar, Kattankulatthur - 603 203, Kancheepuram Dt, Tamil Nadu, India
Phone: +91 - 44 - 2745 5715 / 2745 3433	Fax: +91 - 44 - 2745 3622
Website : http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/applying_to_srm/	Course (s) offered : B.Tech - (Genetic Engineering), Ph.D.
Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai
Course (s) offered : Post M.Sc. Certificate course in Plant Genetic Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras
Course (s) Offered: four-year B.Tech. Biotechnology, M.Tech. five-year dual degree in biotechnology.
IIT, Kharagpur
Course (s) Offered : four-year B.Tech. and five-year M.Tech. courses in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering.
IIT, Guwahati
Course (s) Offered : B.Tech Biotechnology.
IIT, Delhi
Course (s) Offered : M.Tech five-year dual degree in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology

Offering B.Sc. courses

AWH Special College (unaided - affiliated to University of Calicut) Kallai, Calicut - 673 003

Course (s) Offered : B.Sc. Genetics course of threeyear duration.

Institutes offering M.Sc. courses

University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi

Osmania University, Hyderabad

Bharkathulla Vishwa Vidyalaya, Bhopal

Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

Chowdhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar

Rajendra Agricultural University, Samastipur

University of Kerala (Department of Botany) Thiruvananthapuram

Course (s) Offered : M.Sc. Genetics and Plant Breeding

School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Chennai

Course (s) Offered : M.Sc. Biomedical genetics

Vellore Institute of Technology (Deemed University) Vellore

Course (s) Offered : M.Sc. Biomedical Genetics Andhra University, Visakhapatanam

Course (s) Offered : M.Sc. Human Genetics

Gurunanak Dev University, Amritsar

Course (s) Offered : M.Sc. Human Genetics

Sri Rama Chandran Medical College and Research Institute (Deemed University), Chennai

Course (s) Offered : M.Sc. Human Genetics

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

Course (s) Offered : M.Sc. Molecular and Human Genetics

Madurai Kamraj University, Madurai

Course (s) Offered : M.Sc. Plant Genetics Engineering, M.Sc. - Microbial Gene technology (DOU 09102007)