Integrative Applications of Microbial Biotechnology to Cultural Heritages Conservation and Promotion

Abstract

In the last decades a number of microbial biotechnology applications have been put into practice for the conservation of cultural heritages. Soft approaches to the bio-cleaning and bio-restoration of cultural heritage are in constant demand in addition to deep understanding of microbial bio-deterioration. Recent research has addressed this issue by different perspectives, highlighting how separate disciplines such biology, microbiology, biochemistry are taking the problem from each own view. However, in the last years the integration of these disciplines have increased the range of tools for conservation and promotion. This commentary shows recent examples of concrete exploitation of the integration of these applications in the field of cultural heritage. Current application of omics techniques and their use for restorers and conservators still rest on the assumption that this omics revolution will be – at some point, important. This commentary includes combination of evidences showing we are a step further: having used a combination of key papers in support, this perspective shows how such applications are already bringing important tools for conservators. Taken together, these sources of evidence are provocative and at the same time similarly stimulating and convincing.