Silliker, Universities Sponsor Molecular Methods in Food Microbiology Symposium and Workshop Series

The Silliker Food Science Center, Colorado State University and Cornell University have partnered to offer a new workshop on nucleic acid-based detection methods for foodborne pathogens and spoilage organisms. It will be held June 23-27, 2008 at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Scheduled workshop instructors and speakers, which will focus exclusively on nucleic acid-based approaches, include: Kendra Nightingale, Colorado State University; Martin Wiedmann, Cornell University; and Mark Carter and Sarita Raengpradub of the Silliker Food Science Center. Registrations are limited.

The gathering will offer in-depth training on nucleic acid-based detection and characterization methods for foodborne pathogens and spoilage organisms, including PCR, multiplex PCR assays, real-time PCR, and quantitative reverse transcriptase-based PCR assays, along with DNA sequencing of PCR products. Workshop attendees will become familiar with commercial DNA-based detection methods (including interpretation of results) as well as approaches to design custom PCR-based assays and protocols for foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms.

The workshop will consist of a one and a half-day symposium on June 23 and 24, followed by three days of hands-on laboratory sessions. The technical meeting is designed for industry professionals, graduate students, and college faculty members who are seeking to improve their understanding of molecular detection methods. For information, including a detailed workshop schedule, visit  www.ansci.colostate.edu/content/view/601/42/.