Difference between revisions of "Team:REC-CHENNAI/Description"
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<h1>APPLICATION</h1> | <h1>APPLICATION</h1> | ||
| − | <p> It is estimated that food worth $1 trillion is wasted every year. This accounts for about one third of the world's food. Of this loss, 21% is caused due to microbial food spoilage. Thus finding a niche in the food preservation sector, we decided to develop a food wrapper that can extend | + | <p> It is estimated that food worth $1 trillion is wasted every year. This accounts for about one third of the world's food. Of this loss, 21% is caused due to microbial food spoilage. Thus finding a niche in the food preservation sector, we decided to develop a food wrapper that can extend the shelf life of mainly fruits and vegetables. </p> |
| − | <p> Inspired by 2012 iGEM Team Groningen, we propose a delivery system containing spores of genetically engineered Bacillus enclosed within two layers of PVDF membrane. (We chose to work with <i> E.coli </i> to carry out cloning experiments , due to its ease of handling. However, we propose that Bacillus spores be used in making the Food wrapper) The system is designed in such a way that only the PVDF membrane in contact with food will allow Latarcin to pass through. The purpose of the outer membrane(filter) is to prevent the entry of microorganisms, thus avoiding chances of further contamination. </p> | + | <p> Inspired by 2012 iGEM Team Groningen, we propose a delivery system containing spores of genetically engineered <i>Bacillus</i> enclosed within two layers of PVDF membrane. (We chose to work with <i> E.coli </i> to carry out cloning experiments , due to its ease of handling. However, we propose that <i> Bacillus</i> spores be used in making the Food wrapper) The system is designed in such a way that only the PVDF membrane in contact with food will allow Latarcin to pass through. The purpose of the outer membrane(filter) is to prevent the entry of microorganisms, thus avoiding chances of further contamination. </p> |
<p> To serve as a nutrient source for the bacteria, LB broth is contained within a compartment made of PVC, which is sandwiched between the two PVDF membranes. When mechanical stress is applied, the delicate PVC membrane disintegrates, allowing the bacteria to come in contact with the LB broth. When this happens, the dormant bacteria start multiplying. Once the bacteria reach a substantial number, due to the quorum sensing mechanism, the mutant latarcin will be synthesised. </p> | <p> To serve as a nutrient source for the bacteria, LB broth is contained within a compartment made of PVC, which is sandwiched between the two PVDF membranes. When mechanical stress is applied, the delicate PVC membrane disintegrates, allowing the bacteria to come in contact with the LB broth. When this happens, the dormant bacteria start multiplying. Once the bacteria reach a substantial number, due to the quorum sensing mechanism, the mutant latarcin will be synthesised. </p> | ||
<p> This results in abundant production of Latarcin by the host bacteria. Latarcin diffuses through the inner PVDF membrane and reaches the food. On encountering bacteria present on the food, Latarcin effectively kills them via the carpet mechanism. Because of its half life of 10 hours, any unused Latarcin is therefore degraded, making the food safe for human consumption. </p> | <p> This results in abundant production of Latarcin by the host bacteria. Latarcin diffuses through the inner PVDF membrane and reaches the food. On encountering bacteria present on the food, Latarcin effectively kills them via the carpet mechanism. Because of its half life of 10 hours, any unused Latarcin is therefore degraded, making the food safe for human consumption. </p> | ||
Revision as of 18:18, 1 November 2017
