Multi-Omics Revolution in Microbial Cultural Heritage Conservation

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Background

This Research Topic addresses integrative application of multi-omics techniques and cultivable methods to study microbial biodeterioration on any expression of cultural heritage. This is not limited to artworks, but to any aspect of cultural heritage such as local and typical foods and where omics techniques can be applied. Multi-omics are defined as all approaches which include high-throughput molecular techniques, provide insights into the genomic structure and metabolism as well as activity of complex microbial communities. The Research Topic aims to emphasize how the integration of such techniques is important for cultural heritage conservation.

For studies on biodeterioration and biorestoration, it is clear that cultivation techniques are not replaceable, allowing the cultivation-mediated testing for irreplaceable biotechnological advancements. Recently, a number of studies have begun the exploration of how multi-omics techniques (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) and their association with cultivable methods advance our understanding of microbial biodeterioration of cultural heritage materials such as stone, cellulose-based substrates or parchment, for example. This Research Topic aims to strengthen this approach and we encourage manuscripts with a strong connection between uncultivable and not-cultivable techniques.

In-depth analysis of the biodiversity and the metabolic potential of microbial communities involved in biodeterioration and bio-conservation is pivotal for more focused conservation approaches. This knowledge is enriched through the use of omics techniques and integrated with chemical-physical data. This approach will also help to advise conservators towards more focused actions.

This Research Topic aims at manuscripts providing integration of the multi-omics revolution on case studies, basic research, and biotechnology. Papers should explore a question, test a hypothesis or validate a mechanism. We particularly encourage papers where omics technologies are paired with cultivable or other discrete techniques. We also support researches that present future applications for the multi-omics approach not necessarily developed for microbiology studies and/or cultural heritages, but that could provide critical development in the field of microbial biodeterioration/conservation. We expect this connection to be clearly discussed in the manuscript.

We welcome the following article types: Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Hypothesis & Theory.

We welcome manuscripts addressing the following topics:
• The use of omics techniques and cultivable methods to reveal mechanistic insights.
• Pitfalls to current multi-omics methods and ways around the limitations in cultural heritage conservation.
• Expressome, metabolome analyses of degrading microorganisms and epigenetics traits on cultural heritages, as well as biorestoration.
• Contribution of environmental factors to biodeterioration, addressed through the integration of omics and cultivable techniques.
• The use of multi-omics approaches for advanced cultivation technologies on artworks substrate.
• Diagnosis, prediction, modelling of biodeterioration through genomic, epigenetic, metabolomics markers.
• Assessment and development of biocide treatments by multi-omics technologies
• Bioremediation or biodegradation treatments and applications, as well as the description of the data obtained.
• Preventive conservation systems and connections with omics approaches

We consider out of scope:
• Descriptive papers
• Manuscript without a clear hypothesis-driven approach.
• Manuscript that completely lack any connection with the tangible or intangible cultural heritage component.

Keywords: Omics Technologies, Cultural Heritage, Microbial Communities, Biodeterioration, Biorestoration

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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