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Genetics is a field of biology that studies genes, heredity, and genetic variation. Genetic variation includes how genes become mutated or are involved in disease and aging. Environmental genetics examines how environmental factors interact with genes to cause disease, or enhance the adaptation of a species to its environment.

A geneticist is a science who studies genes, including how they are inherited, mutated, activated, or inactivated. They often study the role that genes play in disease and health. Environmental geneticists specialize in studying the interactions between genes and environmental factors that lead to adverse health effects, disease, and aging.

Geneticists study the inheritance of traits. They may focus on these events at the molecular, organism, or population level. Some treat people with genetic disorders. Many environmental geneticists try to understand how environmental factors or exposures interact with genes to cause disease.

Environmental genetics often deals with epigenetics - the process by which parts of the genome can be "turned on" or "turned off" by external environmental factors. While many traits are set in stone by genes, others are more flexible and may or may not end up being expressed. For example, if you're predisposed to a certain condition or trait due to your genetic makeup, you may or may not develop it on your own. However, being exposed to certain environmental factors such as diet and stress may cause that part of your genome to activate and be expressed. For example, genetics may make some people more susceptible to adverse health effects related to environmental factors like air pollution. Many environmental geneticists study how these interactions work.

Others study ecological genetics to expand our understanding of the role genetics plays in species' adaptations to changing environments. Ecological geneticists use population genetics for the conservation, management, and genetic improvement of species. For example, they calculate the reproduction and survival rates of a species or community. They use their knowledge of genetics to identify at-risk species and increase their genetic diversity. Some research how to genetically engineer plants that can adapt to climate change.

Regardless of specialty, most geneticists perform many of the same tasks. For example, they plan or conduct genetic research on gene expression and other topics. They keep laboratory notebooks that record their research methodology, procedures, and results. They review and interpret lab results using mathematical and statistical methods. Geneticists must keep up with scientific literature to learn about new methods, tools, and results in the field, and use that information to inform their own research. They often write grants or attend fundraising events to fund their research projects. They share their research results by writing academic journal articles and presenting at professional conferences.

Most geneticists find employment as research staff at university laboratories, government agencies, and hospitals. These jobs are available nationwide. Employment in the private sector is fairly rare.

Geneticists work a standard 40-hour week, usually in research laboratories and offices.

Geneticists earned an average annual salary of $72,720 in 2013. The full salary range is $34,590 - $124,760 annually, depending partly on location and type of employment. However, the National Human Genome Research Institute reports the median income for environmental geneticists specifically as $58,660 annually.

Table data taken from BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191029.htm)

Senior geneticists often have broader responsibilities that include management of a lab or healthcare team. Such responsibilities often include:

The government predicts that job demand for geneticists as a whole will see little or no change (-2% to 2%), and that competition for basic research positions will be strong. Growth will likely be driven in part by advances in big data and hyper-computing that allow for analysis of large genetic and ecological datasets. Increased interest in the environment and an expanded focus on the medical aspects of genetics will also open up opportunities for environmental geneticists.

Students interested in environmental genetics should pursue a major in genetics, biology, environmental science, or related disciplines. Courses in biology, population biology, ecology, chemistry, math, statistics, and computer science are all very important to a career in environmental genetics.

While a bachelor's degree can be sufficient for entry-level jobs, advancement and long-term research prospects will require advanced study and continued professional development. Independent research positions and faculty positions in academia generally require doctoral degrees.

Read the rest here:
How to Become a Geneticist | EnvironmentalScience.org

This entry was posted on July 11, 2020 at 2:46 am and is filed under Genetics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |