The National Museum of Nature and Science houses over 4.3 million biological specimens, which consist largely of dried or fluid-preserved specimens that were historically collected and stored for the primary purpose of observing morphological characters. Current biodiversity research has increasingly relied on DNA sequence information; however, it is often challenging to extract DNA from specimens in historical collections due to degradation resulting from their long-term storage in a manner that did not consider the necessity of future research using DNA. The collection and preservation of specimens and samples from which DNA can be obtained has therefore become an important goal of the museum.

The Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research was established in July 2006 with the aim of further promoting biodiversity research in collaboration with the museum’s research departments. Our mission is to provide for the comprehensive collection and preservation of materials for DNA-based research, the management of DNA information, and the storage of voucher specimens from which DNA materials have been acquired.