Leonardo da Vinci It is famous for its elaborate, nuanced artwork and advanced technical ideas. But new research has revealed another level of complexity in his drawings: the hidden world of small life-forms on his artwork.
These findings could help create a microbiome “catalog” for artwork, the researchers said. Each piece contained a specific enough collection of microorganisms that researchers could later re-identify from its study of microscopic biology. And the microbiomes of drawings usually had enough key elements to help researchers spot authentic drawings based on differences in their microbiomes, or even stored under different conditions for centuries. Researchers also showed that Da Vinci’s drawings contained significantly different microbiomes than expected with many bacteria and human DNA – the result of centuries of handling by art restorers and others. Microbes known to cause the paper to collapse over time were also present, showing why restorative efforts were needed. Studies show how future microbiomes reveal an unexpected history of specific artwork or assistance. Find the fake.
Researchers examined living and dead, microbiological materials in the master’s seven “symbolic” drawings, and found unexpected variations. Bacteria, Fungus And human DNA. Much of that material probably landed well on sketches after Da Vinci’s death 501 years ago, so the DNA (or at least part of it) probably comes from others who have handled drawings for centuries, not the polymath itself. But there is a story to be told in the new biological material.
The researchers wrote that the biggest surprise was the high concentration of bacteria in the drawings, especially compared to fungi. Previous studies have shown that fungi dominate the microbiomes of paper objects such as these drawings, but in this case have unusually high bacteria from humans and insects (possibly fl flies that are pushed on paper).
Related: 5 Things You Maybe Didn’t Know About Leonardo da Vinci
“Together, the insects, the restoration workers and the geographical localization all seem to have left an invisible eye mark on the drawing.” Said in a statement. “[But] When Leonardo da Vinci drew his pictures, it is difficult to say whether any malicious elements were produced from them. “
Probably DNA came mostly from people who have re-established the work that began in the 15th century. The team did not analyze the genetic material in detail to see at the level of detail who specifically came from it.
For a detailed study of various biological substances, the researchers used a new tool called nanopore, a genetic sequencing method that breaks down quickly and analyzes genetic material. The same researchers have studied artistic microbiomes in the past to determine how statues were stored when smugglers were hiding. Going forward, they said, even this technique could reveal new details of the history of well-studied artwork.
The study was published in the journal Friday (Nov. 20) Frontiers in Microbiology.
Published on Original Living Science.
