Combining the depth of a textbook and the guidance of a lab manual, this volume introduces contemporary molecular methods that are widely used to identify and characterize microbial populations and specific pathogens. The book is structured to explain the basic theory and the rationale for choosing appropriate approaches and specific methods. This material is supplemented by in-depth descriptions of lab experiments. Step-by-step guidelines are provided for a variety of experimental objectives. The techniques explained in this volume can be used in a variety of instructional settings and have been taught to students in academic disciplines such as food science, nutrition, environmental technology, and animal science.