ARCHE

Launched on May 30, 2019 at The Met, ARCHE establishes collaboration between the CNRS, the University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP and The Met. The work of this international research initiative supports the ability to scientifically understand the material dimension of the museum collection, especially for conservation and preservation of artworks, and to reconnect the relationship between history and natural products. The scientific program proposes the development of techniques for the structural study of organic macromolecules (proteins, lipids, polysaccharides) used to create cultural heritage and their molecular networks, as well as for the elucidation of their degradation mechanisms, the ARCHE program links scientific analysis to art conservation and preservation of works of art. The project also incorporates new imaging techniques based on immunological and high-resolution mass spectrometry techniques for the precise localization of organic materials and their molecular interactions. This is an inclusive initiative designed to incorporate many museums, laboratories and scientific approaches applied to the study of natural organic material used to create artworks. Our members are growing as our projects develop.