Attackers of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Famous Paintings

Artworks were always spectacular in their creation, whether they were self-portraits or anatomical drawings.

But, invisible to the naked eye, these “dead” paintings have recently been proven to show signs of “life” on them. Such ancient paintings are preserved and researched with complete care.

But, in recent times, scientists discovered a collection of specific microbes on the surface of some of such paintings.

In the present, some group of microbiologist hailing from Austria and Italy discovered complex microbes on some renowned self-portrait paintings.

The Studi Delle gambe anteriori di un Cavallo (Study of the front legs of a horse), Figura presso il Fuoco (Figure at the fire) and the Autoritratto (Portrait of a Man in Red Chalk) also contained tiny and complex microbial life like bacteria, fungi and even human DNA on them.

Technological innovation to make fine and minute findings possible

Oxford Nanopore Technologies has developed a potent "nanopore” genomic sequencing device that has made such findings possible.

The potential instrument was able to determine the array of microbes from the drawings.

Experts say that the device makes use of less chemicals for its sample processing technique.

The nanopore genomic sequencing device can scan through the lifecycle of each microbe depending on its origin

. The instrument from Oxford Nanopore Technologies is portable enough to be carried around in one’s pocket.

According to Dr Guadalupe Pinar – the microbiologist from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences of Vienna, some of the microparticles might have even been able to survive through the Renaissance period to the present.

They might have survived for more than 500 years. Dr Guadalupe Pinar has discovered human DNA among the multiple variations in genetic materials, she calls it the bio-archive.

Although the source of these microbial life forms is a mystery, the genetic sequencing only revealed their existence in a form.

However, for now, Pinar and her team of expert researchers are figuring out ways to collect and sort these microbial databases.

They aim to compare the results with the fungal and bacterial communities from other paintings.

Pinar hopes to improve the preservation of these old-age classics through her experiments.

She hopes to understand the way various materials like canvas or paper affect the various multiplications of microbial species. 

Further prospects in nanopore genomic sequencing technology 

Different technological advancements over the recent years have enabled science experts to improve their research. Scientists are hopeful that in the future, they might be able to use the nanopore genomic sequencing technology to study microbes with more precision.

Eventually, they might be able to determine the DNA of the people who have come in contact with these artistic masterpieces from the past.

The new nanopore genomic sequencing technology might prove useful for investigation purposes as well. Security and intelligence bureaus might use this technology to track their hostile suspects.

Thus, the nanopore genomic sequencing technology might help to improve security and increase the chances of establishing justice sooner than before.