n°28I quarterlyI January 2013 In Images | 29 w 03 04 05 01 thecrcc team specializes in 05 the stains of a single book may contain iron gall ink, used in manuscripts more than one hundred species of mold, for centuries. which are identified by molecular biology techniques. 02 When it was established in 1963, the laboratory focused its research 06microbiologistmalalanirina on the preservation of collections rakotonirainy analyzes library mold damaged by molds, such as those samples sent by a curator. that have proliferated on this old entomology plate. 07here, scientists are studying the brown lines that form at the wet-dry interface 03 04 researchers are looking at when paper is moistened.the project, a certain type of stain called foxing, calledtidelines, aims to provide which appears on old books. alternative treatments for restoration teams, who often use water. graphs, plastic, natural history specimens, as well as molds and yeasts that regularly plague libraries, the issues regarding lighting and art display. In collection is key to the consulting services provided Champs-sur-Marne, east of Paris, the CRCC’s by the researcher and her team to curators, who send recently-affiliated partner laboratory, the LRMH,2 samples for analysis. It is also used for advanced deals mainly with stone, stained glass, concrete, molecular biology research on stains such as the anddecorated caves. reddish-brown foxing that often affects old books. “The CRCC’s diversification has by no means On the floor below, scientists are working on been detrimental to its work on graphic documents,” so-called “tide lines.” Researcher Anne-Laurence stresses the center’s director Bertrand Lavédrine. Dupont and her colleagues are involved in an exten- Indeed, microbiologist Malalanirina Rakotonirainy sive international program to study the brown lines is happy to show off the laboratory’s carefully refrig- that appear at the wet-dry interface when paper erated fungus collection. With its 120 strains of comes into contact with water. They are also investi- 06 07
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