Of Microbes and Art: The Role of Microbial Communities in the Degradation and Protection of Cultural Heritage

Microbial defacement and degradation of artistic or historic artifacts is a worldwide problem affecting all countries regardless of their hi story, geographical location, or economic conditions. This is the firs t comprehensive study of the role of microbial colonization on the deg radation of different cultural artifacts (from buildings to books, wal l paintings, textiles, sculptures and glass) and of the investigations into the compounds utilized to control microbial invasion. The book f ocuses on three main areas: the identification of the microorganisms w hich cause structural damage; methods to reduce or prevent microbial c olonization and damage; and the use of microorganisms for the protecti on and bioremediation of cultural artifacts.