Introduction

Each part of every living being is biochemically connected.

Biochemistry is at the heart of life science. It is a fascinating, diverse and sprawling discipline; which makes it near impossible to pigeon-hole or define concisely. Many look upon biochemistry as a science that underpins and explains the essential processes of life, impacting on:

• Biotechnology and bioinformatics
• Cell biology and signalling
• Development and disease
• Energy and metabolism
• Genetics
• Molecular biology
• Plant biology

Lubert Stryer, the famous biochemist and author of Biochemistry (W.H. Freeman & Co.), states that biochemistry is “rapidly progressing from a science performed almost entirely at the laboratory bench to one that may be explored through computers. Its practical approach applies the molecular aspects of chemistry to the vast variety of biological systems."

Biochemists:

• Provide new ideas and experiments, essential for understanding how life works
• Support our understanding of health and disease
• Drive the discovery of new ways to use molecular systems and their biological functions
• Contribute essential innovative information to the technology revolution
• Work together as part of a team with chemists, physicists, healthcare professionals, government policy makers, engineers, zoologists, environmental scientists, sales and marketing managers, journalists and other professionals from a variety of different disciplines

Biochemists have high-value jobs that influence work in:

Hospitals, university research departments, agriculture, food institutes, education, scientific law, cosmetic industries, forensic crime research, industrial laboratories, drug manufacturing, biotechnology, publishing, sales and marketing, government administration, science writing and many more…

Biochemists are highly valued members of any company or institution, and their skills and expertise are greatly in demand by a vairety of other professionals. Biochemistry is often a collaborative field, requiring biochemists to work and communicate as a team with professionals from a variety of disciplines to achieve their goals.

A degree in biochemistry provides many attractive and transferable skills:

Analytical, communication, research, problem solving, numerical, written, observational, planning, team work, organizational, computational… good preparation for any career.

The life science community is a fast-paced, interactive network with global career opportunities at all levels. The UK is at the forefront of research and hosts more than 25% of Europe’s life science companies. The Government recognizes the potential that developments in biochemistry and the life sciences have for contributing to national prosperity and for improving the quality of life of the population. Funding for research in these areas has been increasing dramatically in most countries, and the biotechnology industry is expanding rapidly.