Mold Identification for Quality Control

Microbial identification is a critical step for any Quality Control (QC) microbiology laboratory. Regulatory requirements demand identification of objectionable microbes including mold.

This training course will give you an opportunity to identify environmental isolates of mold using both macroscopic and microscopic techniques. Hands-on activities include Genus and species identification for many common, environmental mold contaminants that can be found in routine testing, performing a risk assessment for mold contamination, methods used to avoid mold contamination, preservation of mold specimens, rapid methods and SOPs for mold identification.

Attendees will receive a free copy of the book, “Medical Mycology: A Self-Instructional Text,” by Martha E. Kern, as well as copies of photomicrographs of common environmental molds.

Please note that this training course has hands-on lab activities.

1. Identify common environmental isolates of molds to the Genus level and, for some isolates, to the species level
2. Recognize proper terminologies for both macroscopic and microscopic images of molds
3. Recommend isolation techniques appropriate for identification of mold
4. Use several different techniques to identify unknown mold isolates
5. Locate potential sources of mold contamination and determine how to eliminate the source
6. Design an in-house mold culture collection system
7. Prepare an SOP specific for identification of molds