The research project “Metagenomic analysis of the bacterial population of stone surfaces of monuments and development of nano-biomaterials for the sustainable protection of cultural heritage (BIOFOS)” aims to apply metagenomics and bioinformatics technologies for the qualitative and quantitative identification of microorganisms and enzymes which induce decay or which may contribute to the protection of stone surfaces of monuments. The project also aims to design and develop nanostructured and biofunctional conservation materials (nano-biomaterials), through the enhancement of suitable microorganisms, which are autochthonous to the investigated stone surfaces. In addition, the new nano-biomaterials, which will be developed in the framework of BIOFOS, will be applied in situ on the demonstrative monuments on pilot scale, in parallel with established and compatible conservation materials, in order to perform a comparative assessment of their effectiveness through the study and co-evaluation of the changes induced to the mineralogical, physicochemical, physicomechanical, hygrometric, aesthetic and biological characteristics of the investigated stone architectural surfaces after the application of the two categories of conservation materials. The demonstrative monuments, where metagenomics analysis and the developed through BIOFOS nano-biomaterials will be applied for the first time in Greece in the framework of cultural heritage protection, are the following: The Eupalinian Aqueduct, located in the Pythagoreion of the island of Samos, considered the most important technical construction of ancient Greece and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This demonstrative monument is a typical example of an underground monumental construction hewn in the rock and affected by moisture (controlled microclimate environment). Monumental sculptures at the First Cemetery of Athens, an outdoor sculpture collection, representative of 19th century Greek art. This collection is a typical example of sculpted marble surfaces which present decreased intergranular cohesion on their exterior, due to their exposure to environmental loads (environment of polluted urban atmosphere with a specific microclimate due to the presence of plants and trees). The Church of Saint Minas in Lefkada, a single-nave basilica built in 1724, with exterior stone architectural surfaces following the isodomic system. It is a typical example of a monument where its exterior stone facades present biodeterioration with ensuing aesthetic degradation (environment of moderately polluted urban atmosphere, sea proximity). The project will be realized through the collaboration of the following participants: the Laboratory of Materials Science and Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens, the Laboratory of Biotechnology at the National Technical University of Athens, the Laboratory of Plant and Environmental Biotechnology at the University of Thessaly, the Directorate of Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, as well as the company Enios Applications and the company Booka Chemicals Hellas.
ΚΩΔΙΚΟΣ ΕΡΓΟΥ: Τ2ΕΔΚ-03126
