Who employs biochemists?
Biochemists work in many walks of life - in industry, hospitals, agriculture, research
institutes, education and associated areas. There are many areas of everyday life as diverse
as medical products and diagnostics, new food and its safety, crop improvement, cosmetics and
forensic science that owe their development or even existence to biochemists
Industry
Pharmaceutical, food, brewing, biotechnology and agrochemical companies all need and employ
biochemists to develop new products and to monitor the production, quality control and safety
of existing ones.
Medicine
Hospitals, public health laboratories and medical research institutes, as well as the
pharmaceutical industry, all require biochemists. Here they provide a diagnostic service,
carrying out tests on blood, urine and other body fluids, alongside researching the underlying
causes of disease and the methods of treatment.
Agriculture and the Environment
Biochemists and biotechnologists, who often have a biochemistry degree, working in agriculture
have been responsible for many developments, such as pest-resistant crops, improvements in
crop yields and tomatoes that keep better. They also monitor the environment. Employers include
seed companies, local government, the Civil Service and water authorities.
Education
All levels of education offer prospects for biochemists. The combination of biology and
chemistry, along with the training in numerical and analytical skills that is given in any
area of science, makes biochemistry ideal for teaching throughout the school age range.
There are also opportunities for more advanced teaching, usually associated with research, in
universities and colleges, and medical, dental and veterinary schools.
Away from Science
A science background can be an excellent starting point for many other careers. Biochemistry is
a numerate subject that develops analytical thinking, creativity in problem solving, and the
ability to handle large amounts of complex information - skills required in jobs in all walks
of life including, for example, sales and marketing, accountancy and finance, journalism, and
patent work. Biochemists have become successful popular authors and even
a national president!
Which Bioscience do I want to study?
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is an exciting branch of experimental science concerned with the development of
new drugs. It involves studying the workings of biologically-active compounds on the body and
assessing how the body acts on them. Pharmacologists should not be confused with pharmacists,
who prepare and dispense drugs. Pharmacology plays a vital role in the discovery of new
medicines that can prevent premature death and improve the quality of life for millions of
people and animals around the world. If you choose to study pharmacology at university, you
will learn about the causes of disease, how the body works, how drugs work and how they are
developed into new and effective treatments. Pharmacologists work in clinical and non-clinical
areas, within and outside laboratories, in the pharmaceutical industry, research institutes,
universities and regulatory bodies. Some use their qualifications as a general biological
science degree and work in broader areas such as teaching, sales and marketing, and science
communications.
British Pharmacological Society
16 Angel Gate
City Road
London EC1V 2PT
Physiology
Physiology is the study and understanding of how the living body works. Its scope is as
diverse as the adaptation of animals to environmental extremes and mechanisms by which ions
cross cell membranes. Physiologists investigate, for instance, how the heart beats, or how the
brain works or how the fertilized egg develops into an embryo. To achieve this the
physiologist works closely with other disciplines such as biophysics, biochemistry,
pharmacology, genetics and immunology, placing findings in the context of the living animal.
Physiologists study function at the molecular level in individual cells, they try to integrate
this information into an understanding of the function of organs, of the systems of which
these organs are a part and finally, into an understanding of how the whole animal works.
It is this integrated aspect, this concern with the wholeness of the living creature, together with
its relevance to our own bodies, which places physiology at the centre of biological and
medical science.
The Physiological Society
PO Box 11319
London WC1E 7JF
Tel: 020 7631 1459
Fax: 020 7631 1462
Immunology
Immunology is the study of the cells and molecules that defend us against invasion by disease-causing
viruses and bacteria. The importance of our immune system is demonstrated by the devastation
caused by diseases such as AIDS where the immune system is destroyed. By understanding how the
different parts of the immune system work together we can prevent disease by developing
vaccines. We are just beginning to understand how to harness the power of the immune system to
fight cancer. The immune system is a powerful weapon and sometimes the fine checks which keeps
it under control can become unbalanced. Immunologists are working to understand how to re-educate
the immune system so that we will have effective treatments for conditions such as allergies
and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, and will have better ways to prevent organ
rejection following transplants. Veterinary immunologists are working to keep animals healthier.
British Society for Immunology
Triangle House
Broomhill Road
London SW18 4HX
Tel: 020 8875 2400
Fax: 020 8875 2424
[email protected]
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms - bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae and viruses -
which affect every aspect of life on Earth. Microorganisms are found in a wide range of
habitats and the job opportunities for microbiologists reflect this diversity of life.
Environmental microbiologists study microorganisms where they naturally occur to investigate
their potential use in areas such as crop protection and bioremediation. The biotechnology
industry is largely based on harnessing the activities of microorganisms to manufacture useful
products. Many of the foods and drinks we take for granted are the products of microbial
activity. However, not all microorganisms are beneficial and we need to protect ourselves from
the activities of those that pose a threat to our well-being. Microbiologists play a part in
monitoring and controlling infectious disease. The knowledge gained from fundamental
microbiology research underpins developments in the new molecular technologies.
Careers Department
Society for General Microbiology
Marlborough House
Basingstoke Road
Spencers Wood,
Reading RG7 1AE
Tel: 0118 988 1821
Fax: 0118 988 5656
[email protected]
Nutritional Science
This subject is concerned with the scientific understanding of how the dietary supply of
nutritional macro- and micronutrients maintain the health and well-being of both man and
animals. Considerable advances are currently being made in our understanding of the mechanisms,
by which nutrients regulate function, by the application of the techniques of molecular
biology. Nutritional science is the foundation of dietetics and makes an important
contribution to human and veterinary practice. A developing area is Public Health Nutrition
where sound, scientifically based advice is made available to the community and governments.
The nutritional scientist may make a career in research, or, with further biochemical training,
become a public health nutritionist or work in the food industry or retail trade as an adviser
on good nutrition (for man, agricultural and domestic animals). Many of the available courses
in Nutrition are taught jointly with Dietetics, clinical training being added to nutrition as a
necessary basis for becoming a registered dietitian.
The Nutrition Society
10 Cambridge Court
210 Shepherds Bush Road
London W6 7NJ
Tel: 020 7602 0228
Fax: 020 7602 1756
[email protected]
Genetics
Genetics is the study of genes; the way in which they function as the blueprint for cells and
organisms, the way in which genetic information is inherited and may be experimentally
manipulated, and the way in which genes respond to environmental influences in expressing
their information content. Because of the central role of the genome and genes in biological
systems, Geneticists are at the heart of biological research, in diagnosing and treating
disease, improving crops and farm animals to feed the world's population, developing new
antibiotics and other pharmaceutical products, conserving endangered species and preserving
our environment.
Contact: Jayne Richards
The Genetics Society
Roslin Institute
Roslin
Midlothian EH25 9PS
Tel: 0131 527 4472
Fax: 0131 440 0434
Endocrinology
Endocrinology is the study of the hormone system, from individual cells to the entire person.
The endocrine system affects the whole body and is essential for life. Without hormones you
could not be conceived, grow, have sex, reproduce, digest food, cope with stress or recover
from injury. Your endocrine system also controls moods and emotions. It is now understood that
hormones regulate the growth and functioning of every cell of the body, not just the endocrine
glands. Their interactions are fascinatingly complex and new discoveries about their actions
are constantly being made. When the endocrine system is disrupted for any reason, abnormal
hormone production can explain the symptoms, if not the cause, of many diseases, including
cancer, diabetes and infertility. Hormones also provide the means to treat these illnesses.
Endocrinology is a major field of medicine and biology. Endocrinologists work at the frontier
of research in the health and life sciences.
Society for Endocrinology
17/18 The Courtyard
Woodlands
Bradley Stoke
Bristol BS32 4NQ
Tel: 01454 619036
Fax: 01454 616071
[email protected]
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the structure and function of all living
organisms at the molecular level. This involves investigating isolated biomolecules,
microorganisms, plants, insects, animals and man. Biochemical analysis is used in clinical and
forensic science and in the food and pharmacological industries. The topics of molecular
biology, biotechnology and genetic engineering derive from biochemistry and the subject
interacts with a wide range of other biological disciplines. As a result, biochemists play an
important role in contributing to advances in a wide variety of areas, including health,
agriculture and the environment. Progress in the biochemical understanding of disease has lead
to medical applications, including the screening of unborn babies for disease and investigation
of possible cures for illnesses such as cancer and AIDS. Environmental aspects if biochemistry
include combating pollution and designing biocompatible products. The genetic engineering of
plants has lead to advances in agriculture including crop improvement and resistance to pests
and disease.
Biochemical Society
59 Portland Place
London W1B 1QW
Tel: 020 7580 5530
Fax: 020 7323 1136
Biophysics
Biophysics is an exciting interdisciplinary subject involving a dynamic interplay between
biology, chemistry and physics. Areas of study range from muscle contraction and cell
movements, through the utilisation of light energy in photosynthesis and the flow of ions
across cell membranes which underlies nerve conduction, to the molecular interactions which
are responsible for switching genes on and off. In all cases, biophysics uses techniques from
the physical sciences to obtain an understanding of the atomic and molecular basis of these
crucial biological processes. In particular, these methods are used to determine the
three-dimensional structures of the macromolecules involved, which underlie their biological
function. This structural information will be the key to exploitation of the rapidly
increasing knowledge of the human genome in understanding the molecular basis of disease and
in designing safe and effective new medicines.
Biophysics
Dr. R. Cooke
Department of Biomolecular Structure
GlaxoWellcome Research & Development
Gunnels Wood Road
Stevenage
Hertfordshire SG1 2NY
Email: [email protected]
