Short Description
The Central Research Laboratories at the Natural History Museum Vienna comprise the Research Laboratory of Molecular Systematics (DNA Lab), the bioinformatics infrastructure, as well as the facilities of microanalysis, which include the Electron Microscope Analytical Facilities and the 3D laboratory with an X-ray microcomputed tomograph (micro-CT), 3D scanners and 3D printers.
Contact Person
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Elisabeth Haring
Research Services
Use by external parties (for a fee or in the frame of co-operations) is possible after agreement with the responsible contact person; Scientific co-operation, especially in the context of third-party funded projects possible. Contract work is also accepted by agreement.
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
Besides a large laboratory room for all standard procedures around DNA analysis, the lab DNA harbours a clean room, where UV-radiation and a filtered room ventilation system enable ancient DNA analysis to the highest standard. Furthermore, there is all equipment necessary to carry out DNA analyses, in particular in the frame of research to address questions in evolutionary biology, biological systematics and taxonomy. They comprise DNA sequence analyses, aDNA sequence analyses (from museum samples), microsatellite analysis, DNA barcoding (species identification via DNA sequencing).
In addition, since 1994, the DNA laboratory has been maintaining a “Tissue and DNA Collection” with over 33,000 individual samples. The bioinformatics infrastructure of the Natural History Museum Vienna includes both the technical infrastructure for bioinformatics work (computer servers) as well as advice and training on bioinformatics and biostatistics topics - including workshops, online tutorials and research collaborations.
The section of microanalysis comprises a scanning electron microscope (SEM), an electron probe micro analyzer (EMPA) and a micro-CT. The areas of application are the non-destructive imaging and analysis of a wide variety of solids from various areas of geosciences, biology, anthropology and prehistory.
The 3D lab has two hand-held 3D scanners, which not only enable the precise capture of object surfaces, but also provide colour information. The finished 3D models created with the 3D scanners are presented in the 3D museum of the NHM Vienna and are mostly available for download under a CC-BY-NC licence. 3D models not only enable different measurements, but also the production of detailed 3D prints. Part of the 3D lab at the NHM Vienna are two 3D printers (Raise3D Pro 2 Plus and Raise3D Pro 3 Plus), which can print three-dimensional objects using an FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) process.