PCR basics / Amanda Fairchild, Margie D. Lee, and John J. Maurer -- The mythology of PCR : a warning to the wise / John J. Maurer -- Sample preparation for PCR / Margie D. Lee and Amanda Fairchild -- Making PCR a normal routine of the food microbiology lab / Susan Sanchez -- Molecular detection of foodborne bacterial pathogens / Azlin Mustapha and Yong Li -- Molecular approaches for the detection of foodborne viral pathogens / Doris H. D'Souza and Lee-Ann Jaykus -- Molecular tools for the identification of foodborne parasites / Ynes Ortega.