A novel Rhodotorula sp. RNA-FISH probe for the identification of this artwork’s biodeterioration agent

Thus, the aim of this study was to design in silico a novel RNA-FISH probe to Rhodotorula sp., that facilitate a precise identification of this yeast, and to evaluate its specificity and experimental performance. The probe designed was a novel 26S RNA probe whose experimental evaluation was done by constructing the fluorescence-signal-response/formamide concentration curve for the target and a non-target yeast (Cryptococcus adeliensis). In silico and experimental results revealed that the Rhodotorula sp. probe is genus-specific. Hence, this study will contribute to an accurate identification of microorganisms involved in the biodeterioration process, advantageous for the selection of proper remediation strategies.This work was co-financed by PTDC/BBB-IMG/0046/2014-FCT and ALT20-03-0246-FEDER-000004-ALENTEJO 2020 project. Marina González-Pérez acknowledges FCT for the economic support through the post-doctoral grant SFRH/BPD/100754/2014