Abstract: A thermal cycling device comprising a ceramic sample plate, and method of use thereof, is provided. The device is adapted for in situ thermal processing of biological samples on planar substrates, in particular amplification of nucleic acids. The device comprises electrical heating means attached to the ceramic sample plate, and forced air cooling means.

Abstract: The method of processing poultry comprises the slitting of a poultry carcass along at least one lateral side from the thoracic inlet to the midline of the abdomen, to permit separating a breast portion of the poultry carcass from the back by hinging along an opposite lateral side from the cut. This opens the carcass for evaluation of bacterial contamination of internal organs. The location of the cut is along a line where few bones need to be severed, and the internal organs are not broken or torn, which is a major cause of contamination in conventional poultry processing methods. The longitudinal cut extends from the neck to the pubis and when the breast portion, including the wing on the lateral side where the cut is made is moved, air sac membranes and fat layers will contain the intestines and form separation planes to separate the breast portion from the liver, spleen, heart and intestines. The processing can be mechanized.