Laboratories
Zoology laboratory
Responsible staff: Alain Frantz, Alexander Weigand
The Zoology laboratory of the MNHNL is a central hub for research and collection management. It oversees the preparation of field studies, which form the basis of many scientific projects.
One of the laboratory’s main activities is the identification of organisms using classical microscopy, allowing even the most subtle morphological differences to be observed. In addition, samples are prepared for genetic or genomic analyses, combining modern molecular biology techniques with traditional approaches.
Organisms collected in the field are catalogued and prepared for integration into the zoological collections, ensuring their long‑term reuse for scientific purposes. The laboratory is also responsible for the conservation and inventory of field samples and collections. In this context, the digitisation of labels, specimens and specialist literature is systematically encouraged.
These activities ensure the long‑term preservation of this valuable material while guaranteeing its accessibility and use within international research.
By combining classical and modern analytical and imaging methods, the laboratory serves as an essential point of convergence between the past, present and future of zoological research. It contributes actively to documenting and understanding the zoological diversity of Luxembourg and the Greater Region.
Molecular genetics platform
Responsible staff: Guy Colling, Sylvie Hermant
For more than twenty years, the museum has operated a state‑of‑the‑art platform dedicated to genetic analyses. Our modern, highly specialised laboratories are equipped with next‑generation instruments that allow us to explore with precision the genetic diversity of a very wide range of species -- animal, plant and fungal.
This capacity for fine‑scale analysis is essential for deepening our understanding of biodiversity and for gaining insight into the evolutionary mechanisms that shape life.
DNA analysis also enables the identification of species that are difficult or even impossible to determine using traditional morphological methods.
Our equipment also allows us to carry out environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses, a non‑invasive method that involves collecting genetic traces left by organisms in their natural environment, particularly in water, soil and air.
Thanks to this technique, it becomes possible to detect the presence of pathogens, rare organisms or, conversely, invasive species without needing to see or capture them. It opens the way to ecological monitoring that is more efficient, rapid and respectful of species.
Botany laboratory (morphology)
Responsible staff: Thierry Helminger
Preparation and restoration
This is where newly arrived plant specimens are prepared for inclusion in the Museum’s herbarium, and where older herbarium specimens are restored. It is also in this laboratory that seeds collected for the seed bank are cleaned, sorted, dried and sealed before being frozen. All of this is carried out according to best practice, using the necessary equipment to prepare, press and dry plants, mount them and label them.
Morphological and physiological studies
The laboratory is also equipped for measuring morphological traits and conducting germination tests. It enables the study of germination capacity and germination under various controlled conditions, as well as plant propagation and the cultivation of experimental plantings.
Taxidermy laboratory
Responsible staff: Guillaume Becker
For many years, the Natural History Museum in Luxembourg has been committed to enriching its vertebrate collection. Although the collection is already substantial and recognised for the quality of its specimens, we continue to improve it by regularly adding new pieces, with the aim of making it as extensive and complete as possible.
With this in mind, a new taxidermy workshop, reflecting a more modern and environmentally responsible approach, was created in 2020. Wherever possible, we prioritise natural processes and materials that are safe for both the environment and human health. At the same time, we have developed a wide range of new techniques that allow us to significantly enhance the quality of our taxidermy, bringing it ever closer to lifelike realism. We select our specialist suppliers from around the world with great care. This commitment to quality ensures taxidermy that is as accurate and durable as possible, more resistant to insect damage and deterioration over time.
For ethical reasons, all animals mounted at the museum come from accidental or natural deaths, as well as from zoological parks.
Given the decline in biodiversity, particularly among birds, we focus our conservation efforts on avian species, which are among the most vulnerable in the Greater Region. However, we also make sure not to overlook the integration of exotic species when the opportunity arises, in order to enrich the diversity of the collection. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we regularly take part in specialised seminars and collaborate with colleagues and private taxidermists around the world to explore new techniques.
Palaeontology laboratory
Responsible staff: Ben Thuy
Macrofossil preparation
New acquisitions --especially those coming directly from geological or archaeological excavations -- first arrive in our palaeontology laboratory. Here, they are carefully cleaned, pre‑prepared, restored and sorted for further treatment.
More complex and/or highly specialised preparation work is entrusted to external partners recognised for their expertise and/or specific equipment.
Once a specimen is ready to be integrated into the museum’s collection, it is assigned an official catalogue number and its precise measurements are taken. All data collected about the specimen are then entered into our database to ensure full traceability and to facilitate its use in scientific research projects or exhibitions.
Micropalaeontological preparation and documentation
Our wet laboratory is equipped with all the necessary materials—including a full range of technical sieves, acids and surfactants—to prepare and clean samples containing calcareous and phosphatic microfossils according to established methods.
Stereo microscopes, brushes and tweezers are used to sort the dried samples. For the subsequent documentation of the sorted microfossils, the laboratory is equipped with a digital microscope and a scanning electron microscope, along with a sputter‑coating device for sample preparation.