Microbial Infestation of Objects of Art and Cultural Heritage

The focus of this course is on the presentation of various detection and analysis methods of microorganisms found on cultural heritage. In addition to simpler analytical techniques, you will learn about specific and modern methods. Practices of sampling and non-destructive testing will be presented.

Find out which statements that are important for conservators can actually be obtained with the techniques presented.

Course Content

Essentially the courses are divided into modules. This allows judging the scope and content of the courses to help estimate the time and work involved.

• Microbial Infestation
  • The first one is an introduction into microbiology. It allows students with no corresponding background to learn the basics of microbiology and thus to be able to follow the course. This is of particular importance for non-university implementation, as microbiology in the conservation of cultural objects has not been pursued much outside the university.
• Sampling
  • The second module, which is smaller, is more practice oriented: it explains the different sampling techniques and which types of sample material are suited for which analyses and tests.
• Detection and Analysis
  • The third module contains various methods of detection and analyses of microorganisms that pose a threat to cultural objects. The participants learn not only easy to use analyses techniques but also very specific and modern specialist ones.

Moreover, the course provides a reading list, an extensive glossary and links to other internet sites on the same topics. The course should rather explain the possibilities of your available sources. Our aim is to enable you first to decide which method will be effective and to decide afterwards whichever equipment or procedure is needed.

This course is a translation of the German course.

The Authors

Dipl.-Rest. Barbara Hentschel M.A. has graduated in Conservation and Restoration at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim/ Holzminden/ Göttingen and wrote a master's thesis in the field of microbiology. For 20 years, she has been a research assistant at the Hornemann Institute, where she was responsible for developing and maintaining the online courses and e-publishing. She now works in the Service Center for Quality in Teaching at the HAWK and helps course participants with technical problems with the learning platform.

The conservator Kassandra Wirth M.Sc. has graduated at the HAWK Faculty of Architecture, Engineering and Conservation. She wrote a master's thesis in the field of occupational health and safety for conservators with a focus on microbial hazards. She is currently working as research assistant at the Hornemann Institute and is responsible for the development and maintenance of online courses and e-publishing.

The conservator Nathaly Witt M.Sc. has graduated at the HAWK and is specialized in the conservation and restoration of polychrome wooden objects and paintings as well as records, books and graphics. She is currently working as research assistant at the Hornemann Institute as part of the multidisciplinary national project NFDI4Objects (National Research Data Infrastructure).

Prof. Dr. Constanze Messal has been Professor of Microbiology in Restoration at the Faculty of Architecture, Engineering and Conservation at the HAWK in Hildesheim since April 2023. She is also managing director of MICOR Sachverständigenbüro Dr. Messal and head of department for moulds at Deutscher Holz- und Bautenschutzverband e.V.

Contact

Queries can be sent to: fortbildung@hornemann-institut.de