Biochemistry is the branch of science concerned with the chemical and physic-chemical processes and substances (bio-molecules and their reactions) that occur within living organisms. Biotechnology is the exploitation of biological processes for industrial, mechanical, technological, and other purposes, especially the genetic manipulation of microorganisms for the production of antibiotics, hormones, etc.

As a result of both being high in demand and interesting course-field, it has encouraged a lot of students to choose either biotechnology or biotechnology majors in their degree. However, it isn’t easy selecting a major. Moreover, it becomes even more difficult when both the options have huge similarities yet are quite different at the same time. If you are one of those who are confused about whether you should select major as biotechnology or biochemistry, this article is for you. Biochemistry is a pure science field, while biotechnology is an applied science field. Biochemistry is one of the subjects you will study under biotechnology. Quite clearly, it won’t be as detailed. Biochemistry deals with the process and pathways happening inside the living cell, while biotechnology deals with the techniques to study those processes, and applications of those processes.

Biotechnology is a vast field that includes various topics like biochemistry, immunology, genetics, genetic engineering, microbiology, proteomics, etc. It provides you with a lot of choices to specify during further studies. However, biochemistry limits your study to the chemistry in living organisms. So, you will have fewer topics to choose to specify for higher studies. An undergraduate with a major in biotechnology can do his/her masters has an option from a wide range of subjects like bioinformatics, immunology, cancer biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, public health, etc. to select from. However, biochemistry major will have a limited number of subjects to choose from, such as medical biochemistry, toxicology, analytical chemistry, etc.

Biochemists perform research and analysis on normal processes happening inside the living cell like respiration, photosynthesis, apoptosis, etc., while biotechnologists research and create products like proteins that are used in factories. Modern biotechnology also involves the creation of genetically modified organisms, ex. Golden rice, pharmaceuticals, and so on. Biochemistry promotes mainly research and service, while biotechnology promotes research and entrepreneurship. Establishing an industry with knowledge of biotechnology is not an uphill task. With knowledge of different fields, biotechnology allows us to target any small problem and solve it with biotechnological innovations. For example, Plant tissue culture lab can sell seeds and plantlets of crops to farmers, food and beverage industries, diagnostic labs, etc. As biochemistry is a theory-based subject, it’s quite easy to get jobs in research and diagnostic center. Still, it will require a lot of effort and study to establish an industry.

Best regards,

Nicolas b

Editorial Team

Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology