Proteomics to Study Parchment Degradation – From Bulk to Spatial Analysis

Abstract

Implementing biomolecular techniques in the study of written cultural heritage has led to a steady development of biocodicology and the study of DNA and proteins in parchment in the past years. In this context, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) has gained increasing attention as a powerful tool to study the ancient writing support. With a particular focus on the main components of parchment - different types of collagens - proteomic applications of the technique are highlighted. The review summarises advances in biocodicological studies focusing on manufacturing aspects and conservation treatments. Herein we further investigated proteomic studies on animal skin to prove the potential of MALDI-MS imaging (MALD-MSI) to broaden our knowledge and take studies on damage assessment and degradation of parchment to another level.