Bioinformatics Career: Where Biology Meets Tech

Introduction
Medicine is not the only field of choice for students who studied biology in class 12th. Many new innovative fields kindle a fire among those passionate about science. Bioinformatics is one such field that combines computer science, biology, and data analysis to create new and meaningful insights that can transform healthcare, drug discovery, and research. 
Do you want to unravel the mysteries of DNA and genomics to contribute meaningfully in the real world while still making a lucrative career? Explore this blog to understand different bioinformatics jobs and options for a bioinformatics career.
 
Why Should You Become a Bioinformatics Scientist?
DNA is a treasure trove of information, and humanity has only scraped the surface. Bioinformatics uses computational techniques to analyse, interpret, and manage DNA and protein sequence data to uncover complex biological structures and pathways. Bioinformatics scientists explore this data to derive patterns and relationships that can transform drugs and the healthcare industry. 
 
Bioinformatics career opportunities include various key components. These key components are:
 

Sequence Analysis – Functional elements of biological sequences (DNA, RNA, and protein) are analysed to predict structures.
Structural Bioinformatics – Three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules are analysed to understand protein functions and interactions. 
Functional Genomics –  Gene expression, genetic variations, and biological regulatory mechanisms are studied to explore genes and their functions. 
Systems Biology – Interactions and relationships between multiple biological components are compared using simulations and models developed using data from multiple sources. 
Pharmacogenomics – Genomic data is analysed to understand the complex relationship between drug response and genetic variations to personalise and optimise drug therapy. 

 
Pathway for Bioinformatics Career 
Bioinformatics requires computer scientists to become proficient in life science and biologists to acquire data analytic skills. The skillset essential for bioinformaticians is ever-evolving. There is an increasing demand for highly talented bioinformaticians who know DNA sequencing and are proficient in gene comparison tools and data mining. If you are passionate about this field, numerous job opportunities for MSc bioinformatics are available. Here are the steps to get started:
 

Acquire a Bachelor’s Degree

At least an undergraduate degree is essential to land an entry-level job in bioinformatics. Many colleges and universities offer BSc in Bioinformatics. Unlike medicine, you don’t need to clear the NEET examination to attend this course. This 3-year degree course teaches biology, computing, and statistics that is useful for molecular biology and biomedicine. You must have taken physics, chemistry, and biology streams in your class 12 to be eligible for this course. 
Suppose a bioinformatics course is not available for you. In that case, you can still pursue a bioinformatics career when you complete a bachelor’s degree in computer science, biology, or mathematics to get a solid foundation in the subject. To improve your skills, get an internship in a relevant company to gain hands-on experience. 
 

Pursue a Master’s Degree

To grab high-paying jobs, you need a master’s degree in bioinformatics. MSc bioinformatics is a two-year course that prepares you for a career in genetics and genomics. You can also complete Mtech or master’s in advanced bioinformatics. If you secure an internship with health institutions, medical labs, or other research laboratories, you will get relevant experience to start a full-time job immediately.
To become a hardcore bioinformatics scientist, pursue a Ph.D degree. It will qualify you for various high-level research positions in pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. 
 

Bioinformatics Certification Courses

If you are not ready for a master’s degree, you can upgrade your skills by taking certification or diploma courses in bioinformatics. Students who have completed a BSc in related fields like biology, biomedical science, microbiology, pharmacology, etc., can complete certification programs to switch to a bioinformatics career. Several six-month-long courses will offer knowledge of molecular docking, next-generation data analysis, NGS data analysis, computer-aided drug discovery, in-silico pharmacological studies, etc. 
 
Bioinformatics Job Opportunities in India 
Bioinformatics is one of the top-paying fields in India, and bioinformatics scientists can earn around Rs. 8.4 lakh per annum. Take a look at some of the popular bioinformatics roles that are in demand in India. 
 

Bioinformatics Engineer 

With a background in biology, computer science, data science, and IT, bioinformatics engineers use multiple methods to analyse gene sequence and protein absorption data. They create computational methods that scientists and others use for research projects. 
 

Microbiologists study microscopic organisms to understand their behaviour and interactions. They create plans and methods to develop antimicrobials, hormones, enzymes, vitamins, etc. 
 

Bioinformatics Computer Specialist

If you prefer staying on the technical side of bioinformatics, you can become a computer specialist to enable researchers to collect, analyse, and store biological data. You can work with researchers to develop new computational tools and methods to improve speed and accuracy. 
 

Biostatisticians are needed for clinical trials and research studies to collect and analyse data from living organisms. Pharmaceutical companies need these professionals to study drug efficiency, suitability, and viability. 
 

The analyst is responsible for analysing and deriving valuable information from large databases of genomic data. Depending on your expertise and experience, you can work towards creating algorithms and cures for different diseases.
 

 Bioinformatics Scientist

Bioinformatics scientists will use biological and molecular data to understand genomic sequence, proteomics, and microarray. It is one of the highly respected research professions in the health and pharmaceutical industries. When you work as a bioinformatics scientist, you will have a great opportunity to make groundbreaking discoveries and developments. 
 
Conclusion
Students interested in biology, computer science, and mathematics can work in drug designing, research, and development, clinical research, pharmaceutical companies, or data science organisations with a degree in bioinformatics. In this dynamic and cutting-edge field, you must be prepared to continuously learn and improve your skills to decode the DNA complexities. A bioinformatics career is expected to be lucrative as it is the future of biology that is at the forefront of innovations driving personalised healthcare and drug treatments. 
Interested in having a lucrative bioinformatics career? Push the boundaries and be a part of groundbreaking discoveries by choosing one of the new-age biology careers with guidance from Mindler experts.