As a teenager visiting my hometown and Abbottabad city, I was disappointed by the land waste at the gateway to the Northern areas, worrying about its impact on the tourists. I always used to think about sustainable and innovative waste treatment solutions. When I came across biotechnology’s potential to generate energy, treat waste, and remediate the impacts of industries and agriculture, I immediately decided to choose it as a field.
Throughout my academic journey, I have commonly heard discouraging remarks regarding biotechnology as a field in Pakistan. Many credited it as a subject with uncertain career prospects. This concept is not entirely true.
As Yuval Noah Harari said in his book “21 Lessons for the 21st Century”, biotechnology is one of the fields that will define the 21st century and is set to reshape human lives and industries in a way that we are only beginning to comprehend. As Pakistan navigates food insecurity, public health crisis, and climate change, biotechnology offers timely and transformative solutions rooted in science and sustainability.
Biotechnology has surpassed 3 trillion USD in global industry with prompt advancements in synthetic biology, molecular biology, and genetic engineering, with applications ranging from healthcare to environmental sustainability.
Today in Pakistan, with an increasing focus on sustainable agriculture, as evidenced by the introduction of resilient crop varieties (e.g., Bt Cotton and wheat-AZRC-Dera), and the launch of biofertilizers by the leading fertilizer companies like AlMoiz Industries Limited, paints an optimistic outlook. The increasing investments in biotechnology startups, research institutions, and industrial applications, e.g, the production of biogas, guarantee a promising future.
Opportunities in this field are expanding due to global challenges like climate change and healthcare issues. Today, more than a hundred universities in Pakistan are offering degree programs in Biotechnology, creating prospects for those who are willing to contribute to this transformative science.
The following are the recent trends in biotechnology;
Synthetic Biology and Genetic Engineering
These technologies enable precise genetic modifications and have applications in enhanced crop resilience and disease treatment (e-g, treatment of Thalassemia). Genome editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 have introduced synthetic biology to new frontiers. As per the GEN report, the global synthetic biology industry would generate revenue of around ＄30 billion by 2026.
Biofertilizers and Sustainable Agriculture
Due to rising concerns over chemical fertilizers, the focus on biofertilizers has increased. Biofertilizers are microbial inoculants that promote plant growth and improve soil fertility even under environmentally stressed conditions. This envisions a promising future of sustainable agriculture where surplus food is produced without compromising the environment.
Biotechnology in Healthcare and Precision Medicine
Biotechnology is accelerating the research in personalized medicine and transforming healthcare. Stem cell therapy and pharmacogenomics are enhancing patient outcomes with targeted treatments. More research is being carried out in precision medicine, whose goal is to make medical decisions according to the individual characteristics of each patient, most prominently tailored to the genetics of each person.
Advancements in Nano-Biotech
With the integration of nanotechnology and biotechnology, the use of nano-biosensors has increased for efficient drug delivery and industrial products with enhanced function. Advancements in nano-biotechnology are promising in the healthcare and food industries.
AI-Biotechnology intersection
According to the report by Science Daily, researchers have improved AI-driven microscopy for cell analysis and enabled the analysis of 17,000 cell images within a few seconds. Such advancements, along with AlphaFold (which predicts protein structure), are accelerating growth in healthcare and agriculture. A unique blend of AI and Biotechnology has a promising future, and it is yet to predict what this area holds for us in the future.
Institutions with leading Biotechnology Research in Pakistan
The following institutions are offering research opportunities that help drive innovation in the field.
National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE)
This premier biotechnology research center, working under the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), is located in Faisalabad. It focuses on research in plant biotechnology, health biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, and genetic engineering. Other research divisions include soil and environment biotechnology and the division of technical services. The institute also offers collaborative research opportunities at the postgraduate level to international and national students.
NIBGE has also introduced biofertilizer products, that are BioPower and Phosphorus Pool, into the commercial market with approval from the Government of Punjab. In addition to this, NIBGE hosts National Biology Talent contests and commodity auctions.
Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab
CEMB is a leading research institute known for its advancements in molecular diagnostics, crop improvement, and environmental sustainability. Established in 1985, it contributes to human resource development in molecular biology through its graduates. Moreover, CEMB offers commercial lab services in areas like agriculture, stem cell, forensics, and molecular diagnostics. It is known for extensive research in various domains of molecular biology. Its major research areas include genetics, biopharmaceuticals, proteomics, genomics, stem cell research, plant, health, microbial, and environmental biotechnology.
CEMB maintains collaborations with renowned national and international institutes such as the University of Washington, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Cincinnati. Furthermore, CEMB has successfully developed GM varieties of cotton, rice, and sugarcane with resistance to pests and other environmental stressors. It has also played a pioneering role in the genetic screening and diagnosis of hereditary and infectious diseases in Pakistan.
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC)
It is an apex national institution that promotes and coordinates agricultural research in Pakistan. It focuses on the development of genetically modified crop varieties with improved environmental resistance, biopesticides, biofertilizers, and encourages sustainable farming practices.
The major bodies of this grand research institute are the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad; Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI), Bahawalpur; the Mountain Agriculture Research Centre (MARC), Gilgit-Baltistan; and the National Sugar and Tropical Horticulture and Research Institute (NSTHRI), Thatta.
In collaboration with international partners, PARC has developed more than 20 varieties of plants and crops with improved resistance. Moreover, PARC has also pioneered tissue culturing techniques in Pakistan, leading to the production of virus-free seed potatoes and the micropropagation of crops like banana. PARC has also implemented programs aimed at improving indigenous livestock breeds and enhancing feed efficiency.
International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS)
It is located at the University of Karachi. It comprises two main centers: Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research and HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry. ICCBS is an internationally recognized research facility. It has specialized research groups in molecular biology, drug discovery, genomics, and bioinformatics. ICCBS has active industrial collaborations and prominent international linkages.
The Centre offers MPhil/PhD programs in various biological/biotechnological courses and offers diverse campus life along with research opportunities. ICCBS has garnered international acclaim for its groundbreaking research, advanced training programs, and significant contributions to science and technology. It contributed significantly to the study of natural products and contributed to the discovery of novel medicinal compounds.
To sum up, biotechnology is at the junction of sustainability and breakthrough. Its applications in agriculture, the environment, and healthcare will reshape future industries. As professionals in this field, we are obliged to harness its advancements effectively to drive positive change in the country.
It is our responsibility to accept the recent trends in the world of science, as this would help us to be relevant in this modern age. Biotechnology is more than just a career for me; it has given me the purpose, which is to contribute to innovative and sustainable solutions for global challenges.
References:
- https://www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com/news/175681/3-trillion-growth-reported-for-biotech-sector/
- https://www.parc.gov.pk/SiteImage/Misc/files/Annual_Report_2019_20.pdf
- https://almoiz.com/company-overview/
- https://www.genengnews.com/resources/crispr-made-greener-products-and-processes-in-industrial-biotechnology/
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250225201243.htm
- https://www.cemb.edu.pk/
- https://www.iccs.edu/
- http://www.nibge.org/
- https://www.parc.gov.pk/Detail/ZjhhODVhODEtMjU2NC00NDhiLWE5ZmUtMGI3ZjA3YWJiMmYx
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