Molecular Diagnostic PCR Handbook
PREFACE The Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture is involved in agricultural research and development and assists Member States of FAO and IAEA in improving strategies to ensure food security through the use of nuclear techniques and related biotechnologies, where such techniques have a valuable and often unique role. In particular, molecular diagnostic methods have rapidly evolved in the past twenty years, since the advent of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). They are used in a wide range of agricultural areas such as, improving soil and water management; producing better crop varieties; diagnosing plant and animal diseases; controlling insect pests and improving food quality and safety. The uses of nucleic acid-directed methods have increased significantly in the past five years and have made important contributions to disease control country programmes for improving national and international trade. These developments include the more routine use of PCR as a diagnostic tool in veterinary diagnostic laboratories. However, there are many problems associated with the transfer and particularly, the application of this technology. These include lack of consideration of: the establishment of quality-assured procedures, the required set-up of the laboratory and the proper training of staff. This can lead to a situation where results are not assured. This book gives a comprehensive account of the practical aspects of PCR and strong consideration is given to ensure its optimal use in a laboratory environment. This includes the setting-up of a PCR laboratory; Good Laboratory Practice and standardised of PCR protocols.
Critical Points for the Organisation of Test Performance Studies in Microbiology : Plant Pathogens as a Case Study
This book in the field of plant pest detection shows a constant demand in development and improvement of fast and reliable detection tools, especially for high-priority pests. This open access book describes and summarizes the whole process of the organization of test performance study (TPS) for these tools. The outcome of TPS, obtained through the evaluation of the performance of one or more diagnostic tests by several laboratories on defined samples, is the finding of the best performing test/s for particular pest and for specific uses.
BioMEMS and biomedical nanotechnology ; Vol. II : Micro/Nano Technologies for Genomics and Proteomics
Numerous miniaturized DNA microarray, DNA chip, Lab on a Chip and biosensor devices have been developed and commercialized. Such devices are improving the way many impor-tant genomic and proteomic analyses are performed in both research and clinical diagnostic laboratories. The development of these technologies was enabled by a synergistic combina-tion of disciplines that include microfabrication, microfluidics, MEMS, organic chemistry and molecular biology. Some of these new devices and technologies utilize sophisticated mi-crofabrication processes developed by the semiconductor industry.


