What the heck is biomolec?

Biomolec? Biomed? Biotech? Baffled? Open a university handbook these days, and you could be excused for being baffled by the variety of ‘bio’ degrees on offer.

With ‘bio’ the buzzword of the 21st Century, it’s not surprising students wonder where to start navigating the range of amazing biocareers, said Griffith School of Biomolecular and Physical Sciences head, Professor Frank Clarke.

“Biomolecular Science covers a variety of exciting careers that emerged as a result of recent advances in our biological science knowledge.

“It’s what’s called an enabling science – you’ll take away portable tools that open doors to a range of careers, or choose to specialise in a particular area later in your degree.

“With a Biomolecular Science degree you can go down the research and discovery path, or into ‘biotechnology’ which puts discoveries to practical use to improve our everyday lives.”

So what can I do with it?

If you’re into hard-core discovery and love being up with the latest developments, a career as a biomolecular research scientist is for you.

These talented guys and girls are doing for science what Christopher Columbus did for geography or Versace did for fashion! With an emphasis on discovery and design, these scientists work at the research cutting-edge, discovering how different molecules act on our cells – essential knowledge in the search for new products and drug treatments.

They may also work to outsmart disease by designing highly-specific drug molecules that fit our bodies like jigsaw pieces to destroy, say, a cancer cell without harming healthy cells.