Everything You Need to Know About Molecular Medicine

Do you want to know more about how molecular medicine works and how it can create a coronavirus medicine? You found the right place to learn more about molecular medicine.

Not a lot of people talk about molecular medicine nowadays. However, its benefits are tangible, especially during the current health crisis.

In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about molecular medicine. We’ll discuss a short history and more. Read on and find out:

What Is Molecular Medicine?

Molecular medicine is a broad field that focuses on molecular structures and mechanisms. Molecular medicine uses biological, chemical, physical, bioinformatics, and medical techniques. Those in molecular medicine understand how genes, proteins, and other cellular molecules work.

In practical use, molecular medicine aims to learn what drives certain underlying diseases. Experts use research that focuses on genes, molecules, and cellular functions. In other words, it’s a branch of medicine that diagnoses and treats various diseases.

Cancer is an example of a common disease molecular medicine experts research and treat. Breast, lung, and prostate cancer are a few of the most common types of cancer in the United States. With over 5.5% of the American population having cancer, it’s a health problem that needs attention.

This field of medicine applies molecular biology and molecular genetics. You can learn more about molecular medicine through the publication EMBO Molecular Medicine. It is an open-access journal that focuses on molecular medicine.

A Short History of Molecular Medicine

Before, molecular medicine already referred to the use of the knowledge of DNA in medical practices. For example, you can take DNA in vitro and produce a protein from it. The interest in the study of molecular medicine began in 1949 when a paper got released.

Pauling, H. Itano, and colleagues wrote a groundbreaking paper in Science magazine. This paper’s name was “Sickle Cell Anemia, a Molecular Disease.” This was the foundation that established the field of molecular medicine.

Scientists began looking into the treatment of diseases on a molecular level. However, it wasn’t until the “biological revolution” in the 1970s that the field saw more progress. The period introduced many new techniques and commercial applications.

How Does Molecular Medicine Work?

Like other fields, it aims to understand how diseases develop at the molecular level. As we mentioned, it uses a variety of techniques to learn about them and correct them. A good example of the use of molecular medicine in current times is to find a coronavirus cure.

Scientists and medical experts are studying coronaviruses at a molecular level. Coronaviruses use a variety of strategies for gene expression. To combat these effects, experts use their knowledge of molecular medicine.

Because it aims to treat diseases, it is a vital tool for creating treatments. Now, many rely on molecular medicine to find the best COVID-19 treatments for patients.

Are you looking to become familiar with the top people in this field? A leading investor in molecular medicine is Dr. Kenneth R. Chien. He co-founded Moderna Therapeutics, as well as the Institute of Molecular Medicine at Peking University.

Molecular Medicine Education

If you want to commit your future to this field, consider getting a Master in Molecular Medicine. It gives an in-depth understanding of how to treat diseases from the building blocks of life. Plus, most students secure positions in academic fields, biotechnology, or medical research.

You can find a lot of great universities that offer molecular medicine courses. Expect to tackle topics like diagnostic techniques, clinical applications, and quality control. You’ll also spend most of your time in the lab as a molecular medicine student.

The costs of getting a Master’s degree in Molecular Medicine will vary. Each university sets its prices and rates for this specialization. You’ll also spend extra costs on laboratory materials, equipment, gear, and more.

Contact your desired university to get a better idea of the cost of a molecular medicine degree.

Entering the Field of Molecular Medicine

Do you plan to enter the field of molecular medicine in the United States? The median pay for people who work in this field is $63,120. The typical salary range is between $56,730 and $69,058 per year.

Keep in mind also that other factors can influence your earnings in the molecular medicine field. Your education, years of experience, certifications, and skills will play a role. The company or location of work may also affect your salary.

Roles in the Field of Molecular Medicine 

Most people have no clear idea of what graduates of molecular medicine do after finishing their education. If you plan to take up a Molecular Medicine degree, here are some common job options:

• Infection control practitioner
• Assessment specialist
• Clinical research manager
• Clinical research coordinator
• Clinical research associate
• Quality assurance manager
• Healthcare consultant

If you don’t find opportunities in those careers or fields, expand your horizons. You can also enter other fields where your knowledge in molecular and cellular biology is useful.

These fields or positions are:

• Agriculture
• Geneticist
• Forensic scientist
• Materials scientist
• Biomedical engineer
• Biotechnologist
• Toxicologist
• Food scientist
• Chemist
• Chemical laboratory technician
• Epidemiologist

There are a lot of other fields to enter once you have a degree in molecular medicine. A background in molecular biology can qualify you for other careers and industries. It will also depend on your specialties and skills.

For example, if your forte is in biotechnology, you can work for the research and pharmaceutical industries. If you work in the former, you’ll perform experiments and analyze results. You’ll focus on finding cures for microbiological illnesses.

Keep Learning About Molecular Medicine 

We hope you enjoyed reading about molecular medicine, how it works, and what jobs you can get from a degree in it. Use this guide to gain a deeper understanding of this field.

Are you looking for more guides about the other types of progressive medicine? Check our other content and learn more today!