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<OL> <LI> Develop useable technologies to rapidly and effectively concentrate viable target cells from various food matrices in a self-validating subsystem. <LI>Develop, evaluate and adopt novel technologies for detection, identification, and quantification of viable and non-viable target microorganisms. Research areas to be addressed are biochip based technology, optical light scattering technology, fluorescence resonance energy transfer spatial technology, and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy technology. </ol>
APPROACH: Develop rapid and affordable technologies for detection of harmful levels of biological and chemical food contaminants; to establish better methods of food sample preparation and contaiminant separation procedures that can be used with different detection based technology platforms; to use detection systems, sample preparation and contaminant separations techniques to evaluate the efficacy of novel means of food protection; and to provide education, training, and technology transfer necessary for national implementation of these research programs.