Project Summary Discipline D: Special Projects, Track 3 – Methods Development/Validation The NMSU Food Safety Laboratory (NMSU FSL) will work towards achieving FERN objectives by ensuring that trained staff are able to participate in FERN activities such as proficiency tests, evaluation of new methodologies and analysis of surveillance and emergency outbreak samples. The NMSU FSL would like to conduct method development/validation studies as part of the LFFM. The NMSU FSL will participate in small‐scale method development, method validation and matrix extension work as determined by FERN NPO. The NMSU FSL is very experienced at conducting such evaluations and is capable of doing so for a wide range of pathogens. Since the NMSU FSL was established in 2001, it has developed; analyzed and validated rapid test methods for the FDA detect microbial pathogens in FDA regulated foods. The NMSU FSL has participated in numerous FERN MLV studies since becoming a FERN MCAP laboratory. In the current proposal we propose to participate in a multi-laboratory validation study of a qPCR screening method for Salmonella in foods. We will participate in other studies if requested by FERN NPO. The NMSU FSL believes that robust testing procedures are important for effective analysis of microbial hazards in foods and will work with the FDA to develop and validate improved methods for detection and characterization of microbial pathogens in foods.