Agricultural Biotechnologist
Agricultural Biotechnologist
What do you do?
Sandy's job is to improve sugarcane in South Africa. She uses different methods, including Genetic Modification (GM), which changes the genetic "recipe" of the sugarcane. This is when a new gene that codes for a particular characteristic (eg, insect resistance) is put into the sugarcane plant.
Sandy and her team also use tissue culture techniques in the laboratory. This is when different plant cells are multiplied or grown in a specially prepared hormone medium which provides them with everything they need to grow. These clusters of cells can develop into whole plants. They are also investigating how the amount of sugar in sugarcane can be increased.
Personal characteristics required
Natural curiosity, methodical and precise by nature.
Important school subjects
Biology, Mathematics, Physical Science
Required qualifications
MSc- Natural Sciences/ Biological & Life Sciences/ Biotechnology/ Microbiology/ Molecular & Cell Biology or similar/ MTech (Biotechnology).
Where can I get a job?
Agricultural reearch institutes, universities, and commercial companies.
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