(a species of owlet moth (Noctuid)) Some caterpillars, after they emerge from their egg, can increase their weight by 25,000 times.

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Museum research

Scientific study at the Museum does not just take place in the laboratory – many of the projects take place in the field from far flung places across the world. The work also has global implications – such as the study of disease, agriculture and climate change. Discover the innovations, implications and inspirations behind the Museum’s work.

  • Photograph of Museum scientist looking out over volcanic landscape
    Our global reach interactive map

    Explore our interactive map and discover some of the cutting-edge research that we are currently undertaking across the globe.

  • An enlarged image of cyanobacteria, an extremely successful group of microorganisms.
    Extreme survival of cyanobacteria

    Join Museum scientist Anne Jungblut to investigate how cyanobacteria survive in Antarctica’s lakes and how these important organisms have helped shape life as we know it.

  • Dr Adrian Glover examining a giant scale-worm from the Antarctic deep sea
    Marine life in Antarctica

    Museum marine biologist Adrian Glover reveals the diversity of life in the Antarctic deep sea and explains why it might be changing.

  • Scanning electron microscope image of the head and proboscis of a female mosquito.
    Museum's DNA projects video shorts

    Watch these videos to discover some of the Museum's molecular projects and how the results are used across the world.

  • Behind the scenes at the Museum
    Behind the scenes with Clare Valentine - 09/03/2007 (video)

    Ever wondered what it is like to spend a day working behind the scenes at the Natural History Museum? Two students found out.

  • A mosquito, anopheles labranchiae
    Mosquito research - a day in the life video

    Follow in the footsteps of Museum scientist Dr Yvonne Linton as she travels to the Kent marshes to look at mosquitoes and studies their DNA.

  • Green worm, Allolobophora chlorotica
    British earthworm identification guide and survey

    An easy-to-use identification guide to live earthworms has been developed by the Museum to support a national earthworm survey. Find out more.

  • Strawberry, specie of Fragaria
    What's under the lens?

    From a house fly to a head louse, can you guess the identity of these magnified images? Find out about scanning electron microscopy and how our scientists use these powerful microscopes.

  • Discovery and understanding
    Discovery and Understanding

    From malaria to midges and climate change – investigate the work of scientists at the Museum.

  • Collecting and Society
    Collecting and Society

    Discover the value of collections to society, as well as how specimens are collected and the surrounding ethical considerations.

  • Specimens and Knowledge
    Specimens and Knowledge

    What is a specimen and where do they come from? With over 60 million life science specimens, where better to find out than the Museum?

  • Peer review
    Peer review

    Get in an insight into how scientists convince the world their ideas are worth publishing in this video.

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