Creating the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park may not be such a far fetched myth! Biotechnologists are able to modify genes and do DNA 'splicing' to alter plant and animal species with amazing outcomes in medicine and agriculture.

There are about 115 life scientists practising in Western Australia, with over 85% in Perth, and the rest scattered throughout the state. Biotechnology techniques are featured in a range of biological life science jobs and many people in the field do not refer to themselves as a biotechnologist as such.

There are almost equal numbers of males and females working in this occupation.

Student quotas for University science courses vary each year. In 2006, 12 students commenced a Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) at Murdoch University.

Human vaccines in potatoes? Microbes which eat toxic spills? This isn't in the realm of science fiction. Biotechnologists are working to study and manipulate cells to create useful products for pharmaceutical, agricultural, diagnostic and environmental use.


Old Science, New Name

According to Professor Michael Borowitzka, former chairperson of AusBiotech (WA), biotechnology is not a new science.

''Biotechnology is really applied biology by a new name. Brewing and bread making are the old biotechnologies and the modern version involves more modern techniques. These are genetic engineering, new technologies in immunology, processing biological products and new technologies in growing micro-organisms and animal and plant cells.''

Biotechnology also deals with business applications of these technologies. As Professor Borowitzka suggests,

''If it doesn't have a commercial outcome, it's not biotechnology.''


It's All In The Genes!

All plant and animal cells contain DNA, which contains the genetic information governing the characteristics of a species. DNA can be changed by transferring genes between and within different species. This change to a plant or animal is known as genetic engineering or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Scientists are able to literally 'turn on' desirable genes or 'turn off' those which are undesirable. Imagine being able to turn off the gene responsible for Alzheimer's disease or muscular dystrophy?

Techniques such as polymerese chain reaction (PCR) are used to amplify and isolate different parts of DNA, in order to select desirable genes for transfer. Techniques such as micro-injecting and using retro-viruses as 'carriers' are used to incorporate genes into the host embryo. New organisms are then grown in-vitro (in test-tubes).

Biotechnologists are also involved in non-DNA biotechnologies such as preparing tissue cultures, growing stem cells, using immunological methods to detect pathogens (in medical research), and studying animal and plant cells to develop new pharamceuticals.


Universal Benefits

At Grain Biotech Australia, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ian Edwards is part of the team developing new varieties of wheat using molecular biology techniques. Genes are identified which can add value to the wheat industry and also be beneficial to the environment.

They develop a construct with the desired gene and make the DNA preparation. Then, using a particle gun, coat the DNA on very fine gold dust particles and shoot it into the wheat embryo. If the gene has been transformed, the plants are then grown in glasshouses and tests conducted. The test varies according to the type of strain grown. If it is an aphid resistant virus test, there will be cages of aphids chewing on wheat plants!

''The key thing about biotechnology is that it is only a tool to be used with conventional technologies. The goal is the products. We will only transfer genes if there is no other suitable way of developing a product,'' says Dr Edwards.

The benefits to the local and global communuities are enormous, according to Dr Edwards.

''Gene technology is widely used in the world. For example, in China they will soon have 20 genetically modified crops feeding their people. And wheat is the most important food crop in the world. With Western Australia producing 40% of the national crop, we have wonderful opportunities to add something beneficial and improve the agricultural industry.''


Broad Spectrum of Opportunities

Biotechnologists can work in the public or private sector, in agriculture (plant breeding, diagnostic testing), the food industry (new ways of processing food stuffs or contamination issues), human therapeutics and diagnostics (testing for genetic diseases or developing vaccines) or work on environmental issues (bacteria to clean up oil spills). Graduates with Masters or PhD can also opt to work in the Australian Patents Office.

In Western Australia job opportunities are affected by issues such as government funding for research and any moratoriums on genetically modified organisms used in agriculture. Some biotechnological companies are leaving the State to go to Victoria or Queensland where there are less legal restrictions. Research positions are rarely permanent and usually last for only two or three years.

People thinking about a career in biotechnology must have a strong science bent, particularly in biochemistry, molecular biology and microbiology. An ability to work as part of a team, an analytical mind and loads of curiosity are important skills, and, due to the strong commercial aspects to this occupation, an interest in business, commerce and profit would be very useful.

Salaries vary according to the area in which a graduate chooses to work in. A research scientist can expect to earn between $36,000 and $70,000 per year, depending on experience and level of qualifications. Earning capacity is greater in the private sector. For more information regarding salaries you could contact a relevant organisation such as Agriculture WA.

The Academic Route

The best pathway into the biotechnology field is to complete a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology. Alternatively, you can also do a degree with molecular biology components, but this is not biotechnology as such.

There is no doubt though, if you want to progress in this profession, you must obtain higher qualifications, such as a Masters or PhD in a related field. The undergraduate degree will equip you as a lab technician only.

Professor Borowitzka tells his Bachelor of Science graduates at Murdoch University that they're on L plates - and now they can start learning!

Murdoch University offers a three-year Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology). Pre-requisites for this course are above average performance in TEE chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Other study options would be to complete the following three-year degrees:
Bachelor of Science (Medical Science or Molecular Biotechnology) at Curtin University of Technology,
Bachelor of Science (Biomedical, Genetics, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology) at the University of Western Australia, and
Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences) at Murdoch University. The University Notre Dame Australia also offers a three-year Bachelor of Biomedical Science.

For further course details, please contact the relevant institution or refer to the Universities site below.

	Universities
	Homepage links and contact details for all Universities in WA.

AusBiotech
Level 1, 322 Glenferrie Rd Malvern VIC 3144 Ph: (03) 9828 1400 Fax: (03) 9824 5188 Email: admin@ausbiotech.org URL: http://www.ausbiotech.org/

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In the 1970's there appeared on Australian television an eccentric professor of science, Julius Sumner Miller, mixing reagents in test tubes and challenging his young audiences with his catch phrase 'Why is it so?' This certainly could be the personal mantra of Dr Steve Wilton, a senior research scientist who is currently managing a genotype facility and the Head of Experimental Molecular Medicine Unit at the Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders.

''I enjoy the challenge of finding things out. It's exactly like the old Julius Sumner Miller principle, 'Why is it so?' 'Why is it happening?' This work is never dull.''

Dr Wilton applies the principles of biotechnology in the research work that he does in DNA fingerprinting and muscular dystrophy. Gene therapy and molecular medicine is used to search ways to cure diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This is an inherited genetic disease caused by defects in the gene that produces a protein that strengthens the muscle fibres. Without this protein, the muscles are fragile and break down.

''At present, we cannot eradicate this disease. It is a disease that just affects boys. They are born without any obvious symptoms, show signs of muscle weakness between the ages of three and five, they're in a wheelchair by the age of 12, and many will die before they are 20.''

Dr Wilton's research team are looking at ways to grow up a virus which contains a functional gene and inject this into animal models of the disease, such as mice, for testing. Another approach is to design a drug which can snip out the bad part of the gene.

''There's no treatment at the moment but we have a very clear goal. You meet some of these boys and hope we're on the right track.''

It is challenging work, which suits a team player and someone who is not going to drop an experiment at 5pm sharp and walk out the door!

''There is no routine day. You're never really clock watching, except you're seeing the hour hand spin around and wonder where the time went! Every day can be busy. But I like the fact you get to interact with different people. For example, in one day I'll have e-mails from colleagues in France, Japan, Canada and Norway.''

The down side to a career in research is the uncertainty in employment and funding grants.

''There are very few permanent positions around. If you hit a hard patch, it could get grim and it's hard at times to maintain the enthusiasm, especially if the experiments are inconclusive. But it helps to think about the DMD boys and this seems to revitalise you.''