IGEM:IMPERIAL/2007/Projects/Cell by date/Specifications

Cell by Date: Specifications

• Introduction
• Specifications
• Design
• Modelling
• Implementation
• Testing/Validation
• Notes
• References

The bioindicator must meet the following:

• Report when food is 'off'
  • To do this it needs to reoprt cumulative temperature exposure of food
  • Temperature is the largest factor in meat spoilage
  • It is therefore the easiest way to report if food has gone bad

• It must be easy to use
  • This can be achieved with the use of a visual reporter
  • Also constitutes the Wow! factor in our project

• Improve accuracy of other attempts by meat industry
  • Many current methods in place
    • sensory stimuli material - packaging that detects temperature over-exposure
    • Intelligent Cooling - Reports if temperature goes above and regulates temperature

• No contact with the food.
• Want at least to inputs into our system in an 'OR' gate.
• We would like a visual signal.
• System must be stable for the lifetime of the food.
• Need system to be able to work in a suitable location, e.g. if food item is in a fridge.

Easy To Use

Visual Reporter – Wow ! factor

Improve Accuracy of other attempts:

SSM, Intelligent Cooling, Antimicrobial

Only Threshold devices System must be stable for length of shelf-life No contact with food – Need to obey HSA standards