Macro and micro biological systems as source of bioactive molecules useful for cultural assets conservation
Franco Palla
University of Palermo, Italy
: J Nanomater Mol Nanotechnol
Abstract
In the last decade science and technology have provided protocols in defining innovative restoration strategies. In our laboratory bioactive molecules, isolated from plants or marine organisms, are characterized and applied in order to control the microbial colonization on historic-artistic manufacts. Similarly, these molecules are able to inhibit fungal and/or bacterial growth to acting like chemical biocides. Marine organisms also represent a source of cold-active enzymes (hydrolases) useful in biocleaning/bioremoval protocols, in order to remove protein or ester layers from the artwork surfaces. These represent valid alternatives to conventional strategies, free from negative impacts on human health and environment.
Biography
Franco Palla, is an Associate professor of Environmental and Applied Botanical Sciences at the University of Palermo, Italy. He is the Coordinator of Five-Year Degree in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage Scientific at University of Palermo. He is the Coordinator of UNIPA Research Unit at Italian Technology for Advanced Applications in Cultural Assets. He is the head of the research Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology for Cultural Heritage (LabBBCH) at the Department of Biological, Chemical, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology (STEBICEF) of University of Palermo. Currently Prof. Palla is Scientific Consultant for Biological deterioration, in restoration projects regarding archaeological sites, works of art, historic-artistic manifacts. He is author and co-author of more than 200 publications in national and international scientific journals and congress proceedings, Editor of the book Biology and Biotechnology for Cultural Heritage (Springer) and Coordinator of Scientific - Organizing Committee and Chair in National and International Conference.
