The course aims to provide students with basic knowledge on biodeteriogens and on the biodeterioration processes of cultural heritage as well as on methods of controlling biological growth on artworks.

1- Introduction to biodeterioration of cultural heritage.

2- Kingdoms of organisms.

3- Structural and functional characteristics of the prokaryotic cell.

4- Bacterial growth.

5- Eukaryotic organisms: fungi and algae.

6- Morphological and physiological characteristics of lichens.

7- Factors influencing biodeterioration of cultural heritage.

8- Responses of microorganisms to environmental stresses: bacterial endospores; non-cultivable life forms.

9- Microbial biofilms.

10- Metabolic alternatives of microorganisms.

11- Mechanisms and phenomenology of biodeterioration.

12-Notes on xylophagous insects: Coleoptera and Isoptera.

13- Biodeterioration of wood, textile fibers, paper, parchment, leather, composite materials. Materials used in the restoration.

14 - Notes on the prevention and control of biodeterioration.

15- Bioremediation.

16- Methods and investigation techniques for the characterization of biodeteriogens.

The Course includes:

- laboratory practices related to sampling, cultivation and identification of the microorganisms causative agents of biodeterioration.

- assessment of the microbial sensitivity to products used in the restoration of cultural heritage.

Students must have passed the Biochemistry exam.

D1- KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student will have to acquire basic knowledge on the morphological and functional aspects of the biodeteriogens of cultural heritage with particular reference to the wooden artworks and canvas. He will also have to know the factors that regulate growth and metabolic activities in relation to the development of biodeteriogens, as well as the prevention and control measures. Finally, he will have to learn the main techniques to collect and identify microorganisms developing on artworks.

D2- ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student must be able to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course to identify and solve problems related to the presence of biodeteriogens on artworks. In particular, he will have to demonstrate ability to apply methods and tools aimed at the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.

D3- JUDGMENT AUTONOMY The student must possess the ability to critically interpret scientific data and independently assess the nature of biodeterioration phenomena. He must also be able to contribute his knowledge to the identification of the most appropriate analytical protocols, assessing their conformity to the scientific method.

D4- COMMUNICATION SKILLS The student must have acquired the ability to communicate in a written, oral or multimedia form the acquired knowledge, as well as to know how to compare with interlocutors of various skills and demonstrate ability to team work.

D5- LEARNING SKILLS The student must be able to study independently and deepen their skills by consulting bibliography, databases and other scientific information on the net.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The teaching material (such as slides, lecture notes, exercises) and the specific communications of the teacher can be found, together with other support activities, within the Moodle platform›blended.uniurb.it.

Teaching

Frontal lessons and practical exercises.

Course books

BIOLOGIA VEGETALE PER I BENI CULTURALI - Vol I - Giulia Caneva, Maria Pia Nugari, Ornella Salvadori - Nardini Editore
FUNGHI E INSETTI NEL LEGNO. Diagnosi, Prevenzione, Controllo. Anna Gambetta - Nardini Editore
Chosen by the student:
PRESCOTT. MICROBIOLOGIA. Vol. 1 e 2. Mc Graw-Hill.
BROCK. BIOLOGIA DEI MICRORGANISMI. Vol. 1 e 2A. Martinko John M. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Assessment

Oral exam on the topics covered during the lessons. The assessment will be aimed at verifying the student's ability to summarize, his communicative and expressive abilities, as well as the acquisition of the appropriate scientific terminology.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.