Swedish Museum of Natural History
(+46) 85 195 40 00
Per Ericson, Director of Science, systematics and evolution of birds, +46 8 51954117, per.ericson@nrm.se
Irene Bisang, Senior Grant Liaison Officer, +46 8 51954130, EIAG
Kjell-Arne Johanson, professor and head of the zoology department, systematic entomology, +46 8 51954088, CPB
Joakim Malmström, Director of the Museum (joakim.malmstrom@nrm.se)
Director of the Museum – Research & Collection Division (Per Ericson, Director) with seven departments (directorate, bioinformatics and genetics, botany, zoology, geoscience, paleobiology, environmental research and monitoring). Three additional Divisions: Education; General Operations and Public Services; Administration
The museum is a governmental agency
| Permanent (P) | Non – Permanent (NP) | |
|---|---|---|
| a) TOTAL scientific staff | 64 | 10 |
| b) Scientific staff linked to Collections | 55 | 13 |
| c) Post-docs / PhD students | 0 | 16 |
| d) Others (Associates, etc.) | 12 | 2 |
| TOTAL (a+b+c+d) | 131 | 41 |
| Permanent (P) | Non – Permanent (NP) | |
|---|---|---|
| e) Exhibitions | 23 | 6 |
| f) Collection Managers / technicians | 15 | 1 |
| g) Others | 30 | 0 |
| TOTAL (e+f+g) | 68 | 7 |
- DNA LABORATORY: DNA preparation, including DNA extraction and PCR etc; 8 Thermal cyclers: 2 AB GeneAmp 9700 (96-well), 6 AB GeneAmp 2720 (96-well). Cloning incubator. DNA sequencing [ABI 3130xl automated sequencer (16 capillaries)]; 454 GS Junior next-generation-sequencer. Ancient DNA laboratory separate from the main lab.
- MICROSCOPY: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): HITACHI S-4300 FE-SEM (including digital and conventional photo equipment). Additional equipment:EDS (Energy Dispersive System), CL (Cathodoluminescence detector also working with low magnification), BSE (Backscatter electron detector, allows material with different compositions to be imaged as different contrast). Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): LEO 912 AB OMEGA, 80x-500 000x magnification range, 0,2 nm resolution, up to 120 kV acceleration voltages. Multifocus image fusion system: Olympus SZX12 with analySIS software (12 Mpx resolution max). State-of-the-art stereo and light microscopes in well-suited working modules for morpho-anatomical analyses of collections.
- GEOSCIENCE: Low-level beta-counter for 234Th determination; Low-level gamma-counter for 210Pb and 137Cs determination in sediments; X-ray diffractometer (PANalytical X'Pert powder) with strip detector; Gas-flow furnace (H2/CO2; 1300°C); UV-Vis spectrophotometer (Zeiss MPM 800) with microscope; 57Fe Mössbauer spectrometer (Wissel) with cryostat; FTIR spectrometer (Bruker IFS55/S) equipped with IR microscope; Crushing and mineral separation laboratory; Clean laboratory for isotope chemistry; Thermal ionization mass-spectrometers (TIMS). Finnigan MAT261, with 5 faraday cups and an analog electron multiplier; Triton with 9 faraday cups and a secondary electron multiplier; Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer with multiple collector (MC-ICP-MS), GVI-Isoprobe with 9 faraday cups, a WARP-filter and a Daly-detector; High mass resolution CAMECA IMS1280 ion microprobe: Secondary ionisation, high resolution mass-spectrometer with 5 electron multipliers; CAMECA IMS1280 ion microprobe preparation laboratory and data handling; Computer laboratory for tomographic reconstructions (Avizo); A new advanced microanalytical facility, the Vega center, will open 2014.
- BIOINFORMATICS: Searchable databases of all major Swedish Natural History collections (in development); The Swedish node of Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF); various advanced software and expertise for phylogeneny, biodiversity and DNA analyses; access to university high power computer networks.
- CONTAMINANT RESEARCH: Gas chromatography lab. 6. Other: X-ray equipment for investigation of animals; FishBase facilities, incl source data and advanced hardware for database analyses, GIS (ArcGIS 10), and other analytical options; Fish preparation laboratory; Autopsy and preparation laboratory for birds and mammals; High resolution scanners and photography equipment for digital imaging of collections.
Traces of the point of onset of life on earth are investigated applying high-resolution isotopic micro-analyses techniques on the best preserved early-Archean rocks in West Greenland. The emergence and establishment of multicellular life in the context of global climatic and atmospherical evolution are explored using integrated geochemical and palaeontological approaches. NRM scientists also investigate the development of the Fennoscandian bedrock and petrogenesis of sulphide and iron ores, flow of elements between different reservoirs of the Earth, the occurrence of major water repositories in Earth’s mantle, and the mineral chemistry at the atomic level. The sources and fate of key trace elements in the marine environment are investigated using improved techniques for the determination of long-lived radioisotopes in low concentrations. Research at the museum’s laboratory for ancient DNA includes studies of the variation in the abundance and distribution of animals in relation to climatic periods and glaciations/interglacials.
Research is directed at understanding events in evolutionary time through analysis of ancient faunas and floras and their changes in space and time. Focal points are the origin and early evolution of animals, the phylogenetic diversification and ecological radiation of flowering plants and seed plants, and the evolution of modern mammals. Diets of animals, for example marine mammals, are studied by DNA analysis and microscopic examination of gut and/or faeces contents.
This research addresses organismal relationships at all levels, the evolution of morphological and other traits and phylogeography, as well as the survey, analyses and description of biodiversity at a global level at organismal as well as genetic levels. NRMs scientists thus contribute directly with critical knowledge to the preservation and management of the world’s natural capital, its biological diversity (EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy, http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/comm2006/2020.htm). An international expert panel recently assessed NRM’s biodiversity research and its scientific relevance as outstanding. The research also benefits from the presence of a world-leading authority in phylogenetic methods.
NRM leads and participates in national and international monitoring programmes that study environmental contaminants and their effects in terrestrial and marine environments. These studies on levels of environmental contaminants in wildlife cover of the longest time-spans in the world. So do the associated time-series of frozen tissues in the continuously and actively developed Environmental Specimen Bank. The effects of exposure to pollutants on the reproductive and endocrine systems in large marine mammals and links with potential population levels are analysed. Other topics dealt with under this theme concern, bird migration, pollen allergenes and biochemical and geochemical processes of organic substances in the environment. Expertise and collections supporting the research under this theme are unique in Europe.
| Typology | Primary types | Individual specimens/objects | % registered cards | % recorded cards in database | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Palaeontology | 6000 | 1250000 | 0 | |
| 1.2 | Mineralogy | 188 | 184000 | 98 | 89 |
| Typology | Primary types | Individual specimens/objects | % registered cards | % recorded cards in database | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Botany | 100000 | 4500000 | 32 | |
| 2.2 | Mycology | Incl. Above | Incl. Above | Incl. Above | |
| 2.3 | Zoology | 210000 | 3800000 | 14 |
Environmental specimen bank: Long time series of more than 333,000 samples from terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. These high-quality collections are of immense value for molecular analyses and extraction of chemical compounds for ecotoxicological and related studies.
Fossil plants: More than 250,000 specimens consisting of macro-, meso- and microfossils. Particularly important collections from China, Sweden, and polar regions. H.J. Schweitzer collection containing approx. 10,000 specimens from Iran, Afghanistan, Bear Island, Germany and many other remote localities.
Fossil animals: Of an estimated 900,000 items, about half are from Sweden, and most of the remainder from Europe (incl. the Arctic islands of Spitsbergen, Bear Island, Novaya Zemlya and Vaigach).
Vascular plants: Over 3 million specimens, >52,000 types registered to date. Large and unique collections from areas with a high level of biodiversity (e.g., South America and the Caribbean [Herbarium Regnellianum], South Africa). Historical Swartz collections (also covering non-vascular plants). 50,000 pollen and spore slides.
Non-vascular plants & fungi: 1.53 million specimens, including more than 50,000 primary types. Significant lichen collection from S America (G. Malme, R. Santesson). One of the largest bryophyte herbaria worldwide with >715,000 specimens.
Vertebrates: Important and unique material from all continents comprising 163,000 bird, 51 000 mammal, more than 500,000 fish and 50,000 reptile and amphibian specimens.
Invertebrates: Over 580,000 lots of which the mollusc collection, 300,000 lots, is particularly strong in material from high latitude areas and also from hydrothermal vents.
Insects, spiders and myriapods: 3 million specimens of a broad systematic and geographic coverage, and including very valuable historical collections (e.g., De Geer).
Minerals: 180,000 catalogued (digital database) specimens. Rich collections from the famous Långban mines (25,000 samples).
Specimen photos: 735,000; Frozen tissues: 330,000
- Program activities during the year, e.g. excursions, guided tours, children creative workshop,
- “Ask the biologist and geologist”, a service for them who have questions regarding nature and animals. The biologist was one of three program leaders in the TV-series “Mitt i naturen vår”, during spring 2014. It was sent in six programs.
- Press-releases and other information about the research and collections. http://www.nrm.se/ommuseet/press.7038.html
- Social media, to create public engagement and participation.
- Cosmonova, an IMAX theatre in the museum for schools and public
Martin Testorf, +46 8 5195 4037, martin.testorf@nrm.se
Year 2011: 511 000. Year 2010: 523 000
Website access to some collection databases with images, virtual exhibitions:
http://www.nrm.se/en/forskningochsamlingar/samlingar/databaser.83.html
http://www.nrm.se/researchandcollections/botany/phanerogamicbotany/virtu...
http://www.nrm.se/english/researchandcollections/researchdivision/palaeo...
Fishbase Sweden, online portable with searchable information about fish: http://www.fishbase.se/search.php
GBIF Sweden, portal for searchable biodiversity information: www.gbif.se
Naturarv, portal for searching of Swedish natural history collections: http://www.naturarv.se/
Swedish DNA-key, in development, portal for DNA sequence queries: http://www.dnanyckeln.se
Special programs and guiding for schools and training for teachers. A pedagogics team.
Formal affiliation with Stockhom university for courses in systematics and taxonomy, as well as supervision of post-graduate students. Additional teaching at various national and international universities.
Online teaching resources: http://www.nrm.se/english/education/naturalscienceintheschools.7128.html
FP7 Marie Curie initial Training Network http://www.mettrans-itn.eu/about-mettrans/
Several educational themes and tools in exhibitions. http://www.nrm.se/english/visitthemuseum/exhibitions/swedishnature.975_e...
http://www.nrm.se/english/education.45_en.html
Further, see Communication and outreach.
Claes Enger, +46-8-51954254, claes.enger@nrm.se Charlotte Ek, +46 (0)8 519 551 26, charlotte.ek@nrm.se
Systematic research
Digitization of collections
Developing collections database
Collections management standards and practices
Access and benefit-sharing routines
Developing next phase of the Synthesys project