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Application of Biology to Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art

A Special Issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417) belonging to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2027 | Viewed by 2090

Editors


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Guest Editor
VICARTE Research Unit, Department of Conservation and Restoration, NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA), 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Interests: preventive conservation; cultural heritage; biocides; biodiversity; biodeterioration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
1. Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
2. Fitolab, Laboratory for Phytopathology, Instituto Pedro Nunes, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: mycology; biodeterioration; cultural heritage; genetics; phytopathology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Works of art (whether paintings, sculptures, archival materials, architectural surfaces, monuments, or archaeological artefacts) are living interfaces between human creativity and the surrounding environment. As such, they are continually vulnerable to a wide spectrum of biological agents and biodeterioration processes. Understanding these processes is essential for preserving our shared heritage in a rapidly changing world. On the other hand, biological treatments for the conservation and restoration of works of art, often categorized as bioconservation or even as bioremediation in some cases, represent a significant and sustainable advancement in the field of art conservation, offering a highly selective alternative to traditional chemical and mechanical methods.

This Special Issue, “Application of Biology to Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art,” invites contributions that address the biological dimensions of cultural heritage conservation and restoration. We welcome original research papers, comprehensive reviews, case studies, and methodological advances. All aspects of biodeterioration, including the identification of biological causes, their modes of action, diagnostic techniques, and the development of both traditional and innovative treatments, are also welcome. Works on detailing the analysis and testing of macro- and microorganisms that affect the preservation of cultural heritage, as well as the implementation of effective prevention strategies, will also be considered. A critical focus is placed on the imperative for sustainability in conservation practices and the growing impact of climatic changes, which are deeply altering the decay conditions of heritage materials and challenging established conservation approaches.

Dr. Maria Filomena Macedo
Dr. António Manuel Santos Carriço Portugal
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cultural heritage
  • biodeterioration
  • conservation and restoration
  • preservation
  • treatments
  • biocides
  • biodiversity
  • climatic changes
  • sustainability

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

26 pages, 1835 KB  
Review
Multifunctional Polymeric Coatings for Stone Heritage: Hydrophobic–Antimicrobial Mechanisms and Field Performance
by Ricardo Estevinho, Ana Teresa Caldeira, Sérgio Martins, José Mirão and Pedro Barrulas
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 4050; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16084050 - 21 Apr 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1595
Abstract
Stone heritage deteriorates through physical, chemical, and biological processes driven by water, climate, and microbial colonization. Multifunctional polymeric coatings combining hydrophobic and antimicrobial moieties have emerged as a promising conservation strategy, yet a substantial gap remains between laboratory innovation and real-world performance. This [...] Read more.
Stone heritage deteriorates through physical, chemical, and biological processes driven by water, climate, and microbial colonization. Multifunctional polymeric coatings combining hydrophobic and antimicrobial moieties have emerged as a promising conservation strategy, yet a substantial gap remains between laboratory innovation and real-world performance. This review critically examines advances from 2021 to 2026, covering wetting theory, antimicrobial mechanisms, and material architectures, including molecularly integrated systems, Sol–Gel hybrids, nanocomposites, and layered systems. Long-term studies on the Aurelian Walls in Rome and stone in Reims show that biocidal efficacy typically declines within one to two years despite the chemical persistence of the coatings. In parallel, hydrophobic performance often deteriorates over time due to UV exposure, particulate deposition, and surface chemical changes, leading to increased wettability and reduced protective efficiency. Substrate porosity governs durability and visual compatibility (ΔE* < 5 threshold), while treatments can reshape microbial communities, favoring stress-tolerant meristematic fungi. Regulatory pressure on fluorinated compounds drives the development of more sustainable alternatives. Emerging directions include stimuli-responsive systems, self-healing materials, slippery interfaces, and precision polymer architectures. However, future progress will depend on tailoring formulations to major lithotypes, improving compatibility with porous substrates, and validating performance through standardized accelerated aging and multi-year field trials. Bridging laboratory design with environmental exposure data and conservation practice will be essential for achieving durable and culturally acceptable protection strategies. Full article
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