Microbiomes of decaying wood

Wood and wood derived materials are versatile and in widespread use. To withstand the constant threat of degradation by climatic and biotic agents (e.g. molds and insects), preservation is a continuous challenge. New environmental regulations have changed wood decay prevention from traditional toxic copper‐based biocides to relatively benign, but more expensive organics that are less effective and work for a shorter time, resulting in a need for new economically and ecologically friendly wood protection approaches. The ProWood (Protection of Wood) project aims to develop novel solutions for wood decay protection combining bio‐based coating solutions with biological decay antagonists. The wood decay process is being studied by analysis of rotting wood samples from the forests around Trondheim, Norway and near León, Spain. Additionally a field study using standardized wood bricks from a lumberyard with and without coating is used to study the initial phase of rotting from natural, outdoor exposure in an urban setting. The rotting process is investigated by traditional methods combined with microbiota characterization. Cultivable microorganisms are isolated and studied for their antagonistic properties. The total microbiota is studied by metabarcoding of the prokaryote and fungal fractions, while a metatranscriptomics approach aims at identifying potential filler targets.