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Molecular collections
The molecular collection is a state-of-the-art facility designed to safeguard the world’s genetic material for future research.
Molecular collections are a unique and valuable resource with the capacity to store genetic material for generations to come.
This collection contains genetic material from a wide range of different taxonomic groups from around the world.
The genetic sequences of organisms stored in this collection contain a wealth of information, including the organism’s evolutionary history, resilience to global changes and their relationship to other organisms and the environment.
Have an enquiry?
Contact the facility manager Heather Avrili.
Collection capability
Over two million 0.5ml tubes
Storage temperatures
- 3 room-temperature humidity controlled cabinets
- 24 x -20˚C upright freezers
- 14 x -80˚C upright freezers
- 2 x -80˚C chest freezers
- 3 x -196˚C liquid nitrogen tanks
Species
The molecular collection contains samples from lizards, frogs, birds, bees, mammals, spiders, fish and many more.
The molecular collection stores DNA, tissue and cell culture samples for the UK’s research and conservation community.
CryoArks
The CryoArks project is a BBSRC Bioinformatics and Biological Resources (BBR) funded collaboration between museums, universities, zoos and aquariums. This project aims to create the UK’s first comprehensive zoological biobank for research and conservation.
CryoArks makes sure that the frozen collections across the UK are coordinated, cared for and made available for all researchers to use.
The molecular collection facility at the Museum is one of the hubs where samples are stored.
All CryoArks samples, even those not held at the Museum, will be made publicly visible and accessible via the CryoArks database.
Read more about CryoArks
Insect Pollinators Initiative
The United Kingdom’s Insect Pollinators Initiative (IPI) was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) between 2010-2015 to support projects studying a wide variety of UK pollinators and their habitats. These projects collected 50,000 UK pollinator specimens, including bees, flies, beetles, butterflies and moths. The specimens were complete with pollen baskets, gut contents and parasites.
A subsequent BBSRC funded project made it possible to archive these specimens into the nation’s collections at the Museum. All the specimens were moved into future-proofed barcoded cryotubes for permanent storage in the -80ºC freezers in the molecular collections facility.
Expert curators at the Museum checked the data and updated the taxonomy to make sure it can be discovered and used.
All samples and data from 42,320 specimens from the original United Kingdom IPI project are now available via the Natural History Museum's Data Portal for researchers worldwide to search through and access.
Read more about the Insect Pollinators Initiatve
The schistosomiasis collection at the Museum
The schistosomiasis collection at the Museum (SCAN) is a global repository of schistosome parasites and their snail intermediate hosts. Funding from the Wellcome Trust has helped develop SCAN into an important resource for genetic/genomic research into schistosomiasis, a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD).
SCAN supports the museum’s work as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for schistosomes and their intermediate snail hosts.
Researchers collecting schistosome samples in Tanzania. Image by Aidan Emery
Read more about SCAN
- SCAN samples and contextual data are available on the SCAN website
- Read more about SCAN at the Natural History Museum
Darwin Tree of Life project
The Darwin Tree of Life project is one of several initiatives across the globe working towards the ultimate goal of sequencing all complex life on Earth.
The project will carefully collect representatives of each species present in and around Britain and Ireland.
It will then use advanced DNA sequencing technologies to generate high-quality genome sequences, and cutting-edge computational tools to understand how the DNA sequence translates into the diversity of life.
It will sequence animals, plants, fungi and protists, and release the data openly for all to use.
Material stored in collection includes tissue samples, whole organisms, cell cultures and DNA extracts. This hammertooth fish Omosudis loweii is part of the collection. Image by Kirsty Lloyd
The vast range of taxa represented in the collection includes tissues from organisms such as this Amphitretus thielei octopus. Image by Kirsty Lloyd
Collection team
Collections Manager
Molecular Collections Facility Manager
SCAN Principal Investigator
CryoArks Co-Investigator at the Natural History Museum
Molecular Data Manager
Data manager for Darwin Tree of Life
Molecular Sample Coordinator
Sample coordinator for NHM Unlocked
Molecular collection news
Animal DNA to be frozen in huge national bank
The DNA of thousands of animals, including endangered species, is being collected in a national network of freezers.
Project to sequence genomes of all UK life receives over £9 million in funding
The Darwin Tree of Life Project aims to sequence the genomes of all 66,000 species of animals, plants, fungi and protozoa found in the UK.
How to organise a collection of UK wildlife body parts
The mammoth task to organise UK wildlife samples collected by the passionate naturalist and vet, Vic Simpson.