Prospects and Challenges of Biochemistry:

From the Perspective of Bangladesh

Prepared By:
Roksana Rahim Rumki
Roll: 1610
First Year
Jahangirnagar University
 Table Of Contents
Executive Summary 2

Introduction 2

Prospects of biochemistry in different fields 2

Challenges: 5

Inference 6
Executive Summary

Biochemistry is one of the most technologically advanced fields recently in existence in

Bangladesh. It has grown in the past few decades at a significant rate. Positive
developments in the biochemistry sector have enabled Bangladesh to export
biochemical products to global markets. By overcoming the underlying obstacles this
sector can develop more and can be an effective research sector of Bangladesh.

Introduction

There are several sectors in Bangladesh on which we can be proud of and undoubtedly
the biochemistry sector is one of these sectors. Skillful attitudes, constructive
knowledge and creative notions from the professionals are the key reasons why this
sector grew in the way it did. In this report, the current scenario of biochemistry of
Bangladesh has been presented along with an analysis of its prospects and challenge

Prospects of biochemistry in different fields

In Fundamental research: Understanding the gene function, protein structure, enzyme

function etc are analysis using the knowledge of biochemistry in different prominent
research institute like ​(​BCSIR), National institution of Biotechnology (NIB), Bangladesh
Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), Bangladesh
Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI) etc.

In Human Health: ​Diagnoses as well as the treatment of different diseases like diabetes,
arthritis, cancer, HIV and various infections are highly improved with the
implementation of knowledge generated from biochemistry not only in Bangladesh but
also over the world.

In Pharmaceutical Industry: ​Biochemists are conducting the research and development

on chemicals that eventually become new drugs and pharmaceuticals in Bangladesh.
Biochemistry is developing these products to reduce side effects and making
pharmaceuticals safer to administer.

In Education: ​Different public and private universities are offering new experiments
relevant with molecular analysis in their respective laboratories implementing the
updated knowledge of Biochemistry.

In Biotechnology: ​Biochemistry is closely linked with biotechnology and genetic

engineering. The applying of different Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) like Real-Time
PCR, Reverse transcriptase PCR etc are highly encouraging processes to identify various
aspects like detection of mutations, cancer gene etc. With the proliferation of
biochemistry based knowledge this crucial identifying process is going to the next level
of advanced research of Biotechnology.
In Leather Industry: ​Leather industry is the second largest foreign currency earner after
RMG sector in Bangladesh. The leather processing from the raw skins to the finished
products required the various steps like curing, soaking, liming, bating, pickling,
degreasing and tanning. Biochemistry is improving the progress of the above mentioned
steps providing the modern knowledge of enzyme technology in respective industries.

In Textile Industry: 82% of Bangladesh's export industry is dependent on the RMG

sector. Germany, EU, USA - these are the major destinations of BD RMG industry.
Behemoth amount of cash flow occurs due to the RMG sector. Enzymatic desizing,
scouring, bleaching, biopolishing - these are related branches of biochemistry regarding
the textile industry.

In Blue Economy: Bangladesh has achieved 1,18,818 square kilometers of gigantic

oceanic area from Myanmar and India in 2012 and 2014 competing in International
Tribunal of Law of Sea and Permanent Court of Arbitration respectively. Plethora of
resources is cryptic underneath this vast oceanic area. Research conducted regarding
the biochemistry field could provide huge thrust in the blue economy of our country,
which could leverage the total GDP in future in a humongous manner. Marine intake
resources like seaweed, coral, microorganisms, micro biomes etc can be properly
utilized when their molecular characterization will take place properly.

Agriculture: ​Biochemistry plays a prodigious role in farming, fishery, poultry,

sericulture, beekeeping, crop improvement with specific character, improvement in
productivity of specific crop, study of interaction of different pesticide molecules on
pests, their behavior and control, toxicological effect of pesticide on human and animals
for safety purpose. Development and exploitation of better genotypes for increasing crop
yields to meet demand of increasing population.

Forensic and Criminology: ​Forensics analysis is a necessary tool in the crime

investigation system. A biochemistry/molecular biology-based subarea of forensic
analysis, forensic serology, deals with the complex approach of amalgamating
information on the type of sample, age, origin, or sex from biological fluids found at a
crime scene. In forensic analysis various biochemical investigation techniques are used
to investigate crimes like Hair follicle analysis, Polygraphic test, serology test and
fingerprint analysis.

Genomics: ​Genomics, the study of an organism’s complete set of DNA, is one related
field of biochemistry that carries long-term implications for drug development and
clinical workflows. With biochemical research being augmented by ​rapid advances in
artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning​, the ability to quickly and efficiently
analyse vast pools of data enables scientists to chart previously unexplored areas of
biochemistry. Biochemistry assists in searching for genome sequence of different living
organisms like fish, jute, plants, animals etc.

Nutrition: ​Biochemistry plays an important role in nutrition and health. In general, it

deals with macromolecules like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, nucleic acids etc.
Therefore, the prospect of biochemistry regarding nutrition will grow in a swift manner
in upcoming years.

In Dentistry: ​Development of oral bacteria species microarrays can contribute as

diagnostic tools that the study of inflammation biomarkers can elicit necessary
treatment and that amelioration of mother cell biology and regenerative medicine
demand the rejuvenation of dental teaching. As for the future, methods to curb or cure
tooth decay are likely to involve a biochemical approach, like the caries vaccine. The role
of fluoride is now well established and its role to remineralize a carious lesion or
chemically modify a tooth, the enamel surface and its bacterial population offer scope
for further investigation.

Cosmetics Industry: ​Biochemical analysis of cosmetic products is highly encouraged

prior to permitting the product in the market. In the following years, more recruitment
opportunities will be created for biochemistry in the cosmetics industry in our country.

In Vaccine Development: ​Recently Globe Biotech has substantiated the capability of

Bangladesh research field by listing their produced vaccine for Covid-19 in WHO list.
Research activities regarding vaccine production of different diseases will certainly
augment related biochemistry fields in future.

Diagnostic Clinical Biochemistry: ​Biochemistry amalgamates analytical chemistry with

aspects of physiology, physical chemistry, pathophysiology and diagnostic medicine.
Diagnostic Clinical Biochemistry utilizes biochemical knowledge and techniques to aid
in the diagnosis of human maladies, to follow its amelioration and to observe the
consequences of treatment.

DOP test facilities for sports: ​As Bangladesh is making massive success in cricket also
in other sporting activities, necessity of DOP testing is burgeoning on a regular basis.
Establishment of DOP testing for sports in Bangladesh could provide a huge boost in the
biochemistry field.

Environmental Engineering: ​Applying principles of Biochemistry for the protection of

the environment is the main concern of environmental biochemistry. As global
environmental contamination is exponentially growing up, preventive measures thus
need to come in action using eco-friendly agent like microorganism and biochemistry
can play a major role herein with its deep scientific approaches.
Waste Water Treatment: ​Biochemical products have been widely used for treatment of
different types of wastewater. The purpose of these products is to augment the activities
of helpful microbes in order to ameliorate treatment performance.

Challenges:

Frustrating Rank in Global Knowledge Index: ​In the Global Knowledge Index 2020, The
country ranked 96th with a score of 16.4 in the research, development & innovation
category, 97th with a score 43.1 in the information and communications technology
(ICT) category.

Pandemic: ​Due to the pandemic overall economic condition of Bangladesh will worsen.
Vulnerability formed due to covid-19 irritates Bangladesh over a longer period. In this
period funding for research activities will reduce in a significant amount which is a
threat for the biochemistry sector too.

Promotion from Least Developed Countries List Will Throw a Nouveau Challenge:
Bangladesh has successfully passed the 1st triennial check marks of LDC graduation
criterias (Economic Vulnerability Index, Per Capita Income, Human Development Index).
Bangladesh will smoothly go out of the LDC list if it can pass next two consecutive
triennial check marks. Then, Bangladesh will be out of the list in 2027. According to
TRIPS(The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) and
TRIMS(Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures) copyright measures would be
strictly imposed. This is high time our government ponders on research activities with
grave concern not only in the biochemistry field but also on other potential fields, our
pharmaceutical or other potential industry will face challenges.

Lack of Skilled Personnel AI, Machine Learning, Data Science: ​During this period of
Industrial revolution 4, if Bangladesh could not commensurately engender adept
personnel regarding AI, Machine Learning and Data Science, it might be a massive
challenge in the research field of biochemistry.

Lack of Endowment: ​Lack of endowment and lack of connection between industry for
the research field of biochemistry. Incorporation of research activities with industry and
continual improvement in the industrial sector could be a solution to raise endowment
in the biochemistry research field.

Brain Drain: ​Every year most of the meritorious students of top tier universities of
Bangladesh leave Bangladesh due to better opportunities and better living conditions. In
this way, the nation loses a huge chunk of potential researchers.
Unwillingness of Private Sectors Spending on Research activities rather than Using
Patent of Developed Countries: Renowned pharmaceutical industries use patents of
developed countries. If they fund research projects of local universities then both
students and teachers will become more willing on research projects.

Lack of Flourished Industries Related To Biochemistry Field: ​Industries regarding

biochemistry field is not thoroughly flourished in Bangladesh is a major challenge for
research related to biochemistry field.

Teachers’ involvement in Politics: ​Due to involvement in politics teachers could not

afford proper concentration solely for research purposes which is pernicious towards the
growth of research activities regarding any field. University professors play a pivotal role
in research development; regretfully, they are not interested in research of late; rather
keen to get administrative and political posts. Besides, the government appoints such
professors in administrative posts who are involved in politics.

Lack of Encouragement, Regulation, Monitoring in Research Activities: ​In order to

explain this context, an example from the UK is going to be discussed here. In the UK, we
have a Research Evaluation Framework (REF) exercise organised by the government that
takes place every five to six years. The REF is based on academic peer review, and results
in a national ranking of each university department by subject area. Because of not
having this kind of framework research activities regarding biochemistry or any sector is
being frustrated.

Inference

Government, private sectors should come forward to increase the endowment in the
biochemistry research sector. Also adopting a research evaluation framework could be a
better approach to leverage the biochemistry sector as well as overall research
activities.