This book is a primer for students, faculty, and other professionals interested in molecular biology and its integration into food safety, by introducing the reader to diagnostic PCR-based technologies used in detection of pathogens in foods.

This book will enable its reader to:

Understand the principles behind PCR including real-time
Know the basics involved in the design, optimization, and implementation of PCR in food microbiology lab setting
Interpret results
Know limitations and strengths of PCR
Understand the basic principles behind microarrays and its potential applications in food microbiology.
Figures, charts, and tables help illustrate concepts and provide the reader with an important starting point in bringing molecular diagnostics into the food microbiology lab.

Résumé
This book will introduce non-molecular biologists to diagnostic PCR-based te- nologies for the detection of pathogens in foods. By the conclusion of this book, the reader should be able to: 1) understand the principles behind PCR including real-time; 2) know the basics involved in the design, optimization, and imp- mentation of PCR in food microbiology lab setting; 3) interpret results; 4) know limitations and strengths of PCR; and 5) understand the basic principles behind a new fledgling technology, microarrays and its potential applications in food microbiology. This book will provide readers with the latest information on PCR and microarray based tests and their application towards the detection of bacterial, protozoal and viral pathogens in foods. Figures, charts, and tables will be used, where appropriate, to help illustrate concepts or provide the reader with useful information or resources as an important starting point in bringing molecular diagnostics into the food microbiology lab. This book is not designed to be a cookbookPCR manual with recipes and step-by-step instructions but rather serve as a primer or resource book for students, faculty, and other professionals interested in molecular biology and its integration into food safety. v Table of Contents Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v Chapter 1. PCR Basics Amanda Fairchild, M. S. , Margie D. Lee DVM, Ph. D. , and John J. Maurer, Ph. D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Chapter 2. The Mythology of PCR: A Warning to the Wise John J. Maurer, Ph. D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Chapter 3.

Contenu
PCR Basics.- The Mythology of PCR: A Warning to the Wise.- Sample Preparation for PCR.- Making PCR a Normal Routine of the Food Microbiology Lab.- Molecular Detection of Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens.- Molecular Approaches for the Detection of Foodborne Viral Pathogens.- Molecular Tools for the Identification of Foodborne Parasites.