What Is Life Science? Exploring the Basics
By Adrian Wohlfarth
Driven by increasing demand and rapid innovation, the field of life science continues to grow and evolve, branching out to new specialized sub-fields, such as biotechnology, biochemistry, neuroscience, cell biology, and many more.
This huge explosion of life sciences has caught the eye of many, from aspiring entrepreneurs searching for new startup opportunities to savvy investors looking to expand their portfolios. OurCrowd can help you with the latter, but before you start investing in life sciences, it would be wise to learn the basics behind it.
Key Highlights
- The field of life science is expanding rapidly, diversifying into specialized sub-fields such as biotechnology, neuroscience, and biochemistry, driven by innovation and increasing demand.
- Life sciences are categorized into basic life science (research for new biological insights), applied life science (practical application of research), and translational research (using scientific knowledge to solve real-life problems), all aimed at improving human life.
- Advancements in life sciences contribute significantly to healthcare, agriculture, environmental management, and biotechnology, enhancing quality of life globally.
What Are Life Sciences?
To give you the textbook-like definition of life sciences, it’s a field that studies all living organisms in all their forms, both past and present. This includes all living beings, such as humans, plants, animals, microorganisms, and cells.
We divide this field into three categories - basic life science, applied life science, and translational research:
- Basic life science’s primary focus is researching new biological insights and expanding the current knowledge about life sciences and processes.
- Applied life sciences refer to the practical application of discoveries found during the basic life sciences research processes, such as clinical research for a new drug.
- Translational research uses basic and applied scientific knowledge to address real-life scientific problems, such as testing and developing new drugs.
All these three pillars have one goal - to improve human life.
Life Science Branches
Life sciences is a massive field that includes dozens of specific branches that often later divide further into more sub-branches. That’s perfectly mirrored in the life sciences industry, where we have companies specializing in various applications ranging from R&D and pharmaceuticals to manufacturing clinical devices and biotechnology innovations.
Given their high number, we’ll only discuss the most significant life science branches. Let’s go through them one by one:
Biology
Biology is one of the primary fields of life sciences. It focuses on the study of life and living organisms, including areas such as molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology, which delve into the fundamental processes of life at the molecular and cellular levels.
Additionally, the science extends to specialized studies of different life forms, including virology, which examines viruses; microbiology, which investigates microorganisms; and botany, which is dedicated to the study of plants. The development of modern technologies has also led to the emergence of new branches like bioinformatics, bioengineering, and biomathematics, offering innovative approaches to exploring biological questions.
Microbiology
Microbiology focuses on the examination of life's tiniest entities, including single-celled organisms and small clusters of cells. This field encompasses the study of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other microscopic organisms that inhabit our surroundings and our bodies.
Traditionally, microbiology has faced challenges due to the difficulty in obtaining clear visualizations of these tiny life forms, making it a complex area of study to accurately characterize.
Cell Biology
Cell biology goes a step further than microbiology, focusing on the study of cells as fundamental units of life, examining the complex physiological mechanisms and processes at the molecular level. This field investigates various aspects of cellular life, including structure, reproduction, energy transformation, communication pathways, and others.
Through cell biology, researchers examine a diverse array of cell types, ranging from prokaryotic to eukaryotic, including both animal and plant cells. The advancement of technologies and methodologies, like microscopy, cell culture, and genetic cloning, plays a crucial role in facilitating these detailed studies.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a dynamic field that merges biology with technology, innovating ways to apply living organisms and biological systems in technology, medicine, environmental management, and agriculture.
Biotechnology dives into the manipulation of organisms at the genetic level to produce useful products like pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and genetically modified crops. This interdisciplinary field has grown rapidly, driven by advancements in genetic engineering, molecular biology, and bioinformatics.
Biotechnology plays a critical role in developing medical treatments, sustainable agricultural practices, and solutions for environmental conservation, demonstrating the powerful potential of harnessing biological processes for technological advancement.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry explores the chemical processes and substances that are the basis of life in organisms. It focuses on the molecular mechanisms and chemical reactions within cells and organisms that are crucial for maintaining balance.
This branch of life science often examines the complex interactions between various biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, to understand how they contribute to the regulation and execution of essential bodily functions. By investigating these molecular dynamics, biochemistry provides insights into the structural and functional complexities of living beings.
Ecology
Ecology investigates the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment. It seeks to understand the vital connections that sustain life, encompassing the distribution, abundance, and interactions among organisms, as well as their interactions with their surroundings.
Ecology extends to the dynamics of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the impact of natural and human-induced changes on the environment. By analyzing the complex life networks and how species interact within their ecosystems, ecology offers insights into the processes that support biodiversity and ecosystem services, highlighting the importance of maintaining ecological balance for the survival of all species.
Environmental Science
Environmental science examines the correlation between natural systems and human societies, focusing on how human activities impact the environment and vice versa. It integrates principles from various fields, including biology and geology, to study and address environmental challenges such as pollution, climate change, and resource depletion.
Through research and application of scientific knowledge, environmental science plays a crucial role in guiding policy, conservation efforts, and environmental management practices, striving for a balance between human needs and our planet’s well-being.
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and neural circuits. It aims to understand the biological mechanisms underlying behavior, cognition, and emotions.
Neuroscience combines elements from biology, psychology, and chemistry to explore how neural processes affect mental functions and behaviors. Through advancements in imaging and molecular biology, neuroscience seeks to unravel the complexities of neural function and its impact on human health, offering insights into the treatment of neurological disorders.
Genetics
Genetics concentrates on the study of genes in organisms. This field examines how traits and characteristics are transmitted from one generation to the next, exploring the structure, function, and behavior of genes.
Genetics plays a pivotal role in understanding diseases, evolutionary processes, and biological diversity, employing techniques from molecular biology to investigate genetic codes and their expression. Through its findings, genetics contributes to advances in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology, enhancing our understanding of life's fundamental mechanisms.
Genomics
Genomics is a comprehensive study of genomes - the complete set of DNA within an organism, including all of its genes. This field employs advanced DNA sequencing methods and computer-based biology to map, sequence, and analyze the structure, function, and evolution of genomes.
By examining the genetic blueprint of organisms, genomics provides insights into genetic diseases, evolutionary relationships, and the mechanisms behind genetic expression and regulation. This knowledge enables breakthroughs in various fields, especially in personalized medicine and biotechnology.
Epidemiology
Epidemiology studies how diseases spread and are controlled within populations. This life science field employs statistical analysis and research methodologies to investigate the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in specific groups.
Epidemiologists focus on identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive healthcare, contributing to public health policies and practices aimed at improving community health outcomes. Through surveillance and outbreak investigation, epidemiology plays a crucial role in controlling infectious diseases, chronic conditions, and environmental health hazards.
Other Branches
As discussed, the list of sub-fields included under the umbrella of life science is much longer than what we’ve covered. In fact, it’s so long that we wouldn’t be able to fit it into just one article. The branches discussed above are the most pivotal, but there are many other branches of life science that deserve attention, including:
- Botany - a study of plants;
- Physiology - a study of the functions and mechanisms in a living system;
- Pharmacology - a field that studies drugs and their effects on living organisms;
- Marine biology - a study of life in marine and oceanic environments;
- Paleontology - a branch that researches the ancient and prehistoric life through the examination of fossil remains;
- Molecular biology - this field investigates the molecular basis of biological activity between biomolecules.
How are Life Sciences Applied in Today’s World?
The application of life sciences in the modern world spans a wide range of fields vital for human development, including health, agriculture, environmental management, and biotechnology:
- In healthcare, advancements in genetics and molecular biology have led to personalized medicine, enabling treatments tailored to individual genetic profiles, improving efficacy, and reducing side effects.
- In agriculture, biotechnology has revolutionized food production through the development of drought-resistant crops and environmentally friendly pesticides, addressing food security and sustainability challenges.
- Environmental science, a crucial life science branch, informs policies and initiatives for conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable resource management, preserving ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Additionally, the study of microbiology and immunology has been instrumental in developing vaccines and antibiotics, significantly reducing the burden of infectious diseases worldwide.
- In the industrial sector, biotechnology applications in biofuels and bioplastics production offer sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels and conventional plastics, contributing to the global effort against pollution and climate change.
- Furthermore, neuroscience and psychology research enhances our understanding of human behavior and mental health, leading to improved therapies for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Overall, the life sciences play a pivotal role in addressing many of the world's critical challenges, improving public health, ensuring food security, protecting the environment, and advancing sustainable technologies, thereby enhancing the quality of life on earth.
Key Takeaways
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that life science is the most important field in today’s world. Life sciences affect all aspects of our lives, from health to the environment, playing a vital role in improving our quality of life and the earth’s well-being.
It’s scary to think where humanity would be without the innovations developed thanks to studies of life sciences. And that rapid innovation is what makes the life sciences sector so attractive for investors who want to take advantage of the opportunities its companies might offer.
Discover the life science companies to invest in with OurCrowd and leverage the immense potential of this ever-growing and expanding industry.