ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the available techniques. Some of the methodologies have already been applied to cultural heritage; some others have never been used for this purpose. Molecular Biology is continuously providing with important techniques of potential interest for studying cultural heritage. The fusion of the strategies is likely to result in a better understanding of the number, activity, and function of microorganisms on our cultural heritage. Biodiversity and microbial community profiles are being used in cultural heritage studies, as well as in many other fields, for the study of the microorganisms in a sample. Structural genomics deals with the structural analysis of DNA sequences, which can be used for multiple comparisons and in the search of information corresponding to certain metabolic pathways of interest, for instance, for the conservation of our heritage. Genetic engineering also provide with novel opportunities for research and specifically for cultural heritage.
