Project description
Natural-based solutions for preventing bio-deterioration
Preserving cultural heritage is vital for many European citizens, organisations, and countries, as it is deeply tied to their identities, traditions, histories, and economies. However, heritage buildings constructed from stone are particularly vulnerable to damage from microorganisms, which can cause chemical, physical, and aesthetic deterioration. The use of toxic biocides to combat these microorganisms poses risks to both the environment and human health, while current sustainable alternatives often lack efficacy and stability. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the CoNFine project aims to develop a range of natural-based solutions for mitigating bio-deterioration. These new treatments will offer high specificity, improved environmental and operational safety, and the effectiveness needed to protect heritage stone buildings for future generations.
Objective
Microorganisms can generate serious problems for the conservation of our shared cultural heritage: bio-colonisation by bacteria, algae, and moulds can induce physical, chemical, and aesthetic damages. Current chemical methods used to remove and prevent bio-colonisation of built stone heritage involves the use of toxic biocides, despite the risk to the environment and operators. Antimicrobial nanoparticles and naturally occurring enzymes have been alternatively proposed; however, they often show poor efficacy, along with low operational and environmental stability.
CoNFine aims to develop innovative and high specificity natural-based bio-deterioration mitigation solutions tested on remains at the Oxpemul archaeological site, located in Mexico's Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. The project will produce and test new formulations based on enzyme immobilisation on metal-oxide nanoparticles and polymeric hydrogels. Presumably, enzyme anchoring on naturally occurring nanostructured surfaces will enhance the inherent enzymatic activity and stability, thereby increasing their overall efficacy. The highly trans-disciplinary project involves a multi-analytical approach to provide new solutions for mitigating bio-deterioration. The efficacy, compatibility, and longevity of the CoNFine products will be monitored during the MSCA-GF funded period and afterwards, using a Citizen Science initiative for long-term feedback. In this way, CoNFine will significantly contribute to the development of more respectful conservation solutions, which are also in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
CoNFine provides innovative beyond state-of-the-art materials to protect cultural heritage surfaces and preserve cultural identities. Importantly, it creates a truly unique training opportunity for the highly skilled applicant and host institutions, who will benefit from a rewarding knowledge exchange at the interfaces between cultural heritage, microbiology, and chemistry.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- social sciences political sciences political policies civil society
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
28006 Madrid
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.