Mycology embraces the study of fungi and lichens, organisms which play an important role also in different cases of biodeterioration concerning cultural heritage. Knowing the main features of fungi, their nutritional needs (especially as regards the development capabilities) allows us to prevent, mitigate and solve some biodegradation cases in the field of cultural heritage.
The aim of the course is to introduce the students the problems related to fungal biodeterioration of different substrate types of artistic and/or historic interest. Furthermore, the course will provide the basic tools for a suitable monitoring and control of the fungal agents involved in the biodeterioration of cultural heritage.
The proactive presence of lecturers during the frontal lectures and laboratory activities along with the individual study will allow lecturers:
To address the contents of the course, general notions of chemistry, general and applied biology are needed.
The course is organized in 32 hours of frontal lectures and 32 hours of theoretical-applied laboratory. The students are strongly recommended to attend the lectures and laboratory activities.
Each laboratory activity will be proceeded by a short theoretical summary devoted to illustrate the contents, goals and procedures of the work to be performed. At the end of each laboratory, the students will be fill a form (a sort of quiz) devoted to evaluate the acquired skills.
Main characters of fungal organisms (including lichenized fungi): structure and ultrastructure, development, differentiation. Sexual and asexual reproduction. Nutrition and trophic characters. General and specific aspects of metabolism. Factors affecting the fungal development.
Criteria for identifying main taxa and with a particular reference to the groups or species involved in biodegradation processes of cultural heritage.
Role of fungi in biodeterioration of different substrate typologies of cultural heritage, in particulary paper biodegradation and foxing. Lichenized fungi involved in deteriorating rocks and stone slate products. Hints of geomycology.
Aerobiology and biomonitoring of fungi.
Laboratory: isolation, cultivation, identification of main fungal agents of biodegradation processes.
The multimedia teaching material used by the teacher during the lectures will be available on AulaWeb at the end of the cycle of lectures / laboratory exercises.
The texts listed below are supporting texts and are available and available at the library of Scuola di Scienze M.F.N:
Ricevimento: Students are received after booking an appointment by telephone or e-mail.
MIRCA ZOTTI (President)
SIMONE DI PIAZZA
MAURO MARIOTTI
The exam consists of an oral section during which the Multiple Choice Question Tests (Close Ended), compiled at the end of a theoretical-practical laboratory lessons, will be also discussed
The oral examination will focus on the topics covered during the lectures and theoretical-practical laboratory. The aim is to evaluate the degree of learning, autonomy, synthesis and exhibition skills achieved by the student. The ability to analyze the main forms of bioterioration, identifying the responsible fungal agents, and the knowledge of appropriate prevention and control measures will also be evaluated.
The regular attendance of the lessons and the related laboratory exercises is strongly recommended.
