Environmental Microbiology and Cutural Heritage

The group is focused on environmental microbiology (water, soil and subsoil), particularly in biodiversity and microbial ecology in subterranean and built environments, the taxonomy of bacteria and fungi, the follow-up of microbial invasions in rock art caves, the description of new microorganisms and their role in the biogeochemical cycles, the search for bioactive compounds, the impact of microorganisms colonizing buildings (air and materials) on the health of visitors, and the deterioration of the built Cultural Heritage (threats diagnosis and conservation recommendations). From a strong and unique position in Conservation Sciences and microbial ecology we cover microbiology, aerobiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, biogeochemistry, environmental and organic chemistry. We study Heritage sites and materials, using non-invasive techniques and archaeological and following archaeometrical research lines.