Science and Technology for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage

The course is part of the activities of the English curriculum of the master's degree course in Science and Technology for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage. The general objective of the course, which includes both theoretical lectures and practical laboratory sessions, is to provide students with basic knowledge of molecular biology for the study of biodeteriorating organisms, aimed at understanding the most peculiar biodeterioration processes that affect both modern and ancient materials, and preserve and conserve them. The course provides a biomolecular approach, through the explication of concepts and principles regarding the nucleic acid sequencing techniques and the study of the metabolic activity of biodeteriorating organisms. A further objective is to understand and sustainably manage today's cultural heritage and innovative materials. The educational objectives of the course are: 1) to describe the main causes of biodeterioration in the context of cultural heritage; 2) explain the main metabolic pathways activated during the biodeterioration process; 3) describe the molecular approach associated with sequencing for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the biodeterioration process; 4) develop an experimental approach aimed at acquiring practical skills to study biodeterioration processes; 5) describe the main mechanisms of action of the main biocides used to control biodeterioration. A - Knowledge and understanding OF 1) To know the causes that lead to the onset of a biodeterioration process. OF 2) To understand how to modulate the environmental factors that influence the onset of the biodeterioration process. OF 3) To understand which interventions can be implemented to control biodeteriogens based on their metabolic characteristics and the environment in which they are found. B - Application skills OF 7) To be able to deduce the causes that lead to the onset of a biodeterioration process. OF 8) To be able to solve problems by modulating the environmental factors that influence the onset of the biodeterioration process OF 9) To be able to apply techniques/methods to manage the biodeterioration process. C - Autonomy of judgment OF 10) To be able to critically evaluate and discuss the results of experimental analyses aimed at identifying and characterizing biodeterioration processes considering the different engraftment matrices. OF 11) To be able to integrate the knowledge acquired in order to develop the best intervention strategy both from a methodological point of view and from an environmental impact point of view. OF 12) To be able to analyze and integrate chemical-physical-biological-environmental parameters to define the best strategy for the preservation and conservation of cultural heritage. D - Communication skills OF 13) To be able to adequately communicate the knowledge acquired using scientific language to accurately and rigorously describe the study of biodeteriogens. OF 14) To be able to interact with the teacher and with the specialized personnel who deal with the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. E - Ability to learn OF 15) Have the ability to consult the proposed material but also to develop critical research to understand the salient aspects of the biodegradation of cultural heritage. OF 16) Have the ability to evaluate cause-effect relationships and interventions. OF 17) Have the ability to design and develop a cultural heritage conservation project.