Why you SHOULD study biomedical science | topics & skills you will learn + career options

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the value of studying biomedical sciences, covering key differences between this field and medicine, university subjects, and career paths. The video explores topics like immunology, genetics, cancer biology, pharmacology, and regenerative medicine, emphasizing the molecular level understanding of diseases. The speaker shares their personal experience studying medical biosciences at Imperial College London and working as a research assistant at the University of Cambridge. The video also highlights practical lab skills, transferable skills, and various career options such as research, consultancy, and roles in biopharmaceutical companies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Biomedical science is the study of the human body and diseases at a molecular level, focusing on cellular pathways and molecular interactions.
• 😀 Medicine is patient-centric and requires qualifications to become a practicing doctor, while biomedical science provides a detailed background without the practical skills to become a doctor.
• 😀 Biomedical sciences is typically a 3-year undergraduate course, while medicine is a 6-year course in the UK.
• 😀 Topics covered in biomedical sciences include immunology, genetics, cancer biology, pharmacology, and regenerative medicine.
• 😀 Immunology focuses on how the immune system fights pathogens and what happens when it fails, leading to diseases like autoimmune conditions and allergies.
• 😀 Genetics covers the human genome, epigenetics, gene expression, and genetic engineering, including cutting-edge technologies like CRISPR.
• 😀 Cancer biology explores how tumors develop resistance to treatments, including the formation of new blood vessels in low-oxygen environments.
• 😀 Pharmacology involves studying how drugs interact with the body, including the mechanisms behind drug addiction and the effects of substances like heroin.
• 😀 Regenerative medicine, focusing on stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), offers potential for treating previously incurable diseases.
• 😀 Lab work in biomedical sciences includes techniques like PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, bacterial work, and tissue culture, which are essential for experiments.
• 😀 Biomedical science graduates can pursue careers in research, consultancy, patent law, business, clinical trials, and even teaching, offering a wide range of career options beyond the lab.

Q & A

What is biomedical science?

Biomedical science is the study of the human body and diseases at a molecular level. It focuses on understanding the underlying causes of diseases and how the body functions at a cellular and molecular level.

How is biomedical science different from studying medicine?

Biomedical science is more focused on understanding the biology behind diseases at a molecular level, without being directly patient-centric. Medicine, on the other hand, is more about patient care and treatment, and it provides the qualifications to become a doctor. Biomedical science does not provide practical skills required to become a doctor but offers in-depth knowledge of diseases.

What are the typical subjects covered in biomedical science courses?

Common subjects include immunology, genetics, cancer biology, pharmacology, regenerative medicine, and practical lab skills. These topics help students understand human diseases and the technologies used to study and treat them.

What is the focus of immunology in biomedical science?

Immunology covers how immune cells communicate to fight pathogens, what happens when the immune system fails (such as in autoimmune diseases), and how conditions like allergies or sepsis are related to immune response failures.

What does the study of genetics involve in biomedical science?

Genetics in biomedical science explores the human genome, epigenetics, genetic engineering techniques like CRISPR, and how genetic modifications can be made to treat diseases. It also looks at how genes are expressed and regulated by environmental factors.

How does cancer biology relate to biomedical science?

Cancer biology focuses on understanding the hallmarks of cancer, such as how tumors hide in low-oxygen environments and generate blood vessels to support their growth, making cancer difficult to treat. It is crucial for developing new therapies.

What is pharmacology and how is it studied in biomedical science?

Pharmacology studies drug interactions and how the body responds to these drugs. Biomedical students learn about the effects of different drugs, such as why certain drugs are addictive or how they can be used to treat various diseases.

What is regenerative medicine and how does it relate to biomedical science?

Regenerative medicine studies the use of stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), to potentially reverse damage caused by diseases. This field offers a lot of promise for treating seemingly incurable conditions.

What practical lab skills are developed in a biomedical science program?

Students learn techniques like PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), Western blotting, immunofluorescence, bacterial work, and tissue culture. These skills are essential for conducting experiments and analyzing biological data.

What career options are available to biomedical science graduates?

Biomedical science graduates can pursue careers in research, consultancy, biopharmaceutical companies, clinical trials, teaching, or even transition into fields like banking, business management, or patent law. Many graduates also choose to pursue advanced degrees like a master's or PhD.