Development of DNA and RNA-based methods for pathogen detection in foods. Conventional, multiplex, and real-time PCR approaches to detect Bacillus spp. in dairy products and other foods. DNA fingerprinting (rep-PCR), SYBR Green-based melt curve analyses, fluorescent molecular beacons, and real-time RNA amplification (NASBA - nucleic acid sequence-based amplification) to monitor enterotoxin gene expression in Bacillus cereus in contaminated foods.