detection for yeast and bacteria in wood slabs by RNA FISH

Abstract

The deterioration of cultural heritage objects and assets (mural paintings, statues, and many other art objects made of wood, stone, paper, ceramic, glass, inter alia) can be caused by microorganisms [1]. One of the most important steps for applying adequate conservation and protection measures is early identification and monitorization of microbial colonization. The conventional culture-based methods used so far have become insufficient to detect/identify the biodeteriogenic agents. Thus, molecular techniques have started to attract considerable interest [2,3].

Our group is focused on detecting and identifying microorganisms that cause biodeterioration on artworks using the RNA-FISH molecular technique [4]. It is a simple, rapid and promising molecular technique enabling the detection, visualization and identification of the viable microorganisms of interest [5,6].

As any other technique, RNA-FISH has its own minimum Limit Of Detection (LOD) and for ensuring the reliability of RNA-FISH analyses, determination of the associated LODs is imperative. Thus, the aim of this work was to determine the LOD for yeast and bacteria in wood slabs by RNA-FISH. Universal probes for targeting eukaryotes (EUK516) and bacteria (EUB338) labeled with Cy3 or Atto-647N dyes were used.