Life Science
What is life science?
Life science refers to the broad field of study encompassing all living organisms and life processes. At the most basic level, it is the science of cells and their components, processes, and products.
Some scientific fields that fall within life sciences include:
- Medicine
- Biology
- Agriculture
- Ecology
- Botany
- Zoology
- Microbiology
- Physiology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
- Neuroscience
Some of these categories focus on specific species, such as zoology or botany, while others focus on a particular area within the human body such as physiology and neuroscience.
Within the healthcare industry, the life sciences typically refer to developers of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biomedical technologies.
Why are life sciences important in healthcare?
As the study of living things, life science forms the foundation of what is understood about the human body and how providers and other healthcare professionals can help treat conditions and shape the field of healthcare.
Life sciences are the foundation of biotechnology, which leverages the understanding of natural sciences to create new pharmaceutical and technological treatments. For example, biotechnology is responsible for the development of precision medicine and the creation of medical devices.
Through life sciences, we gain a greater understanding of what distinguishes healthy and diseased cells, allowing researchers to more effectively develop and target their treatments.