Engineer – Biotechnology

Biotechnology engineers use insights from chemistry, biology and process engineering to produce certain substances. They work e.g. with methods of molecular and biochemistry, process and control engineering and bioinformatics. In the field of microbial biotechnology, they are experimenting with microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, algae, with plant or animal cells or cell cultures, in the field of molecular biotechnology with proteins and nucleic acids. Nano sensors make it possible to detect the smallest changes in biological processes and intervene early. Using bioinformatics methods, they store, organize and analyze complex biological data (e.g., genome or structural data). The aim of their work is not only to understand biological processes in cells, but to develop them for practical applications in areas such as agriculture, food industry, medicine and environmental technology. For example, they are developing processes for reducing pollutants in air, water and soil or cell-based drugs. In addition, they can be involved in the new and further development of biotechnology, gen and analysis equipment. They also design complete systems for customers in the industry, put them into operation and instruct the employees. In development laboratories as well as in production, administrative tasks also arise, e.g. in quality assurance or documentation.

Engineers for biotechnology find employment, e.g.

• in companies of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and plant construction for biotechnology
• in seed companies and the food industry
• in laboratories for chemical investigations
• in medical, natural and engineering research

The salary level for Engineer – Biotechnology in Germany is: from 3999 up to 6560 EUR per month

Why is Engineer - Biotechnology?

Biotechnology engineers analyze biological processes in cells and build cell components to reproduce and utilize them for practical applications such as health, agriculture, nutrition and environmental protection. They develop systems and apparatus with which research findings can be transferred to production in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Research and Development

In research and development, biotech engineers investigate metabolic processes in microorganisms and animal or plant cells, on the one hand, and the molecular structure and structure of cell constituents, e.g. the genetic material. The aim is to find out which gene sequences and which of these controlled metabolic processes are altered in a disease. The disease can be diagnosed at an early stage in those affected and it can be developed drugs or vaccines that attack precisely at these altered sites. This is done, for example, by introducing the gene sequences in question into bacteria. Bacteria can be grown easily and in large quantities, so that the desired samples or products are available almost indefinitely and in high purity. Also in the field of plasma technology, engineers are working on biotechnology: for example, they are studying how antiseptic plasmas can be used to support tissue regeneration.

Customized enzymes

Biotechnology engineers also assemble molecules according to a given pattern in vitro. Thus, e.g. made-to-measure enzymes for specific applications or biotechnological sensors for medical diagnostics. Biotechnology engineers are exploring ways to use them in the analysis of biomolecules and cells, or to use them in biomedicine to transport biological agents such as drugs. Further research possibilities can be found, for example, in in the nano-cancer therapy.

Another important field of work is the development of processes for the use of microorganisms to reduce pollutants in air and soil, e.g. Oil or dioxin degrading microorganisms. Today, most genetic engineering procedures are automated, so the main task of biotechnology engineers in this area is to design a trial approach, interpret the results, and find application areas for the findings. For the evaluation bioinformatic programs are available to them, which convert gene sequences into standardized data and make it so manageable and comparable.

The right equipment

In order to be able to transfer the findings from research to large-scale production in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, biotechnology engineers develop appropriate systems and apparatus. They advise customers from the industry and work with them to find optimal solutions for the respective application. Once a system has been completed by the customer, they put it into operation and train the employees in the operation of the system. Biotechnology engineers in production monitor the production process, carry out quality controls, develop ways to improve process engineering, and initiate repair work in the event of disruptions. They are also working on improving the analyzers.