DNA- and tissue Collection

The DNA and tissue collection of the Natural History Museum (NHM) currently contains around 40,000 samples.

The majority of these samples come from the NHM's zoological collections, with reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, molluscs, crustaceans and insects being particularly well represented.
In addition, the collection also includes material obtained as part of various research projects, carried out by NHM scientists.

To ensure the quality of the samples and to slow down the progressive degradation of DNA, the samples are stored in special freezers that maintain a constant operating temperature of -80°C.
This storage ensures that both the DNA and tissue samples remain usable for future molecular genetic analyses and research for many decades.

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