This volume details the phenotypic characterization of Staphylococcus aureus, with a focus on in vitro and ex vivo methodologies. The chapters in this book cover topics such as in vitro assessment of classical S. aureus virulence attributes; quantifying promoter activity using a S. aureus codon-optimized lacZ plasmid; biologically-relevant growth environments; metabolic and stress resistance assays; and in vivo and ex vivo models of host-pathogen interaction. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.