Fittonia verschaffeltii, tropical plant native to Peru © The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London
Our expertise in taxonomy, systematics and mineralogy is driving research projects aimed at securing the future of our food, health and natural materials.
We are using the Museum’s collections alongside field and laboratory investigations to study wild relatives of food plants and their pests, predict the spread of disease, and find new ways to extract scarce elements sustainably and economically.
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
Our research is relieving the suffering of some of the 1.4 billion people infected with NTDs.
Future food
A team of scientists are mapping the distribution of wild species of food plants and the insects associated with them to help plant breeders prepare crops for the future.
FAME and fortune
Our ore scientists are working to ensure the sustainable supply of raw materials for future generations in a major new European Commission-funded project.
Highlighted projects
All sustainability projects
Scarce Minerals
- Brazilian mangrove forests
- CERCAMS
- COG3 cobalt project
- FAME and fortune
- London Centre for Ore Deposits and Exploration (LODE)
- Mafic and ultramafic rocks in southern Mexico
- Polymetallic nodule biodiversity
- Post-magmatic processes in carbonatitic systems
- Scandium in geological systems
- Te and Se Cycling and Supply (TeaSe)
- The Jadar Li-B deposit, Serbia
- The Serra Verde lateritic REE deposit
- From arc magmas to ores (FAMOS)
- Securing a domestic lithium supply chain for the UK
Disease and Health