Friday 18 November 2011

Restoring Ancient Works With Hungry Bacteria

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The frescoes in the Church of Santos Juanes in Valencia, Spain, have been damaged by fire (the Spanish Civil War), glue (botched restoration attempts in the '60s), and salt blooms (a side effect of pigeon nests). But the 17th-century masterpieces aren't lost yet.

The Polytechnic University of Valencia's Institute of Heritage Restoration and Centre for Advanced Food Microbiology have joined forces to rejuvenate the priceless works. Tool of choice: bacteria.

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