Sequencing Kew's Fungarium

We're collaborating with the Natural History Museum (NHM) and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) on a groundbreaking research initiative to sequence the DNA of our world-renowned collections of fungi and lichens.

This project is transforming our understanding of fungal and lichen diversity, taxonomy, conservation and evolution with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and environmental restoration.

Unlocking genetic secrets – fungi museomics

Dried fungi and lichen collections at Kew, NHM and RBGE are the largest of their kind, housing around two million specimens in total. By sequencing their DNA, we're enabling researchers to:
 

• Identify and classify unknown species
• Monitor biodiversity and ecosystem changes
• Develop tools to detect fungal biosecurity threats
• Improve conservation efforts
• Mine for new useful biomolecules