Project Lab

About the Project Lab

The Project Lab is a multi-user, state-of-art lab outfitted with equipment needed for researchers to prepare, process, and catalogue specimens from the Academy’s research collections. Read on to learn more about the equipment in the Project Lab.

Auto-montage™ Station

This station consists of a high-resolution camera mounted on a microscope and is ideal for imaging very small specimens. A series of images are taken at different depths of focus, which are then ‘montaged’ into one single perfectly focused image.

This camera is typically used for imaging insects from the Entomology collection, and specimens for identification and publication.

The Big Kahuna™

The Big Kahuna is a long-range imaging system used for high resolution macrophotography. It has the capability to capture images of specimens ranging in size from 2.0 mm to 30.0 cm.

This machine is best for photographing larger specimens, such as herpetology specimens, geology specimens and specimens for publication.

DNA Work Bench

The DNA work bench is used by Academy researchers that are doing DNA extractions for their genetic work.

The DNA work bench is equipped with pipettes and pipette tips, tubes, chemicals, a centrifuge, and an incubator.

Quad-core MacPro

This computer is complete with three 30” cinema displays and includes software for genetic data analysis, photo editing, specimen databasing and georeferencing.

Bird and Mammal Prep Table

The prep table is used by researchers for bird and mammal skinning and tissue sample collecting.

It is outfitted with an overhead camera which projects live footage of specimen dissections and preparatory procedures to screens viewable to the public.

Bird and Mammal skinning

Dead birds and mammals are often donated to the Academy from rehabilitation facilities or from people who find them in their yards, on the beach or in the street. In the Project Lab, these animals are prepared into study skins for the Ornithology and Mammalogy collection. Visitors can a get a close-up look of this unique process by watching live video footage on the Project Lab screens.

DNA extraction

At the Project Lab’s DNA lab bench, visitors can watch the steps of a DNA extraction, getting a glimpse of the genetic work that occurs in the Center for Comparative Genomics (CCG). The CCG is a core facility at the Academy where researchers are using the latest genetic tools to understand the ecology, evolution and diversity of species. Current work at the DNA lab bench includes extracting DNA from seahorses for forensics (see ‘Seahorse forensics’), and from plants collected during the Academy’s Philippines expedition. Learn more about current CCG projects by visiting the CCG projects webpage.

Insect imaging

The Entomology department uses the two camera systems in the Project Lab for photographing their insect specimens. These images provide a visual catalogue of the Entomology collection and can be shared with other researchers around the world. Current imaging projects include photographing moths and robberflies as well as insects collected during the Academy’s recent expedition to the Philippines. Visitors can see the insects as they are being photographed on the Project Lab screens.

Seahorse forensics

Every year, thousands of dried seahorses are smuggled into the US to be used for traditional Chinese medicine. Academy scientists are doing detective work to uncover this illegal seahorse trade. In the Project Lab, they are sorting and identifying hundreds of seahorses that have been confiscated at San Francisco International Airport. At the DNA lab bench, they are also extracting DNA from these seahorses for genetic analysis. The genetic data will be used to identify where the seahorse are coming from.

Library digitization

The Academy Library is digitizing finches and fieldnotes from the Academy’s 1905-1906 Galapagos Expedition, using the high-resolution camera setup in the Project Lab. This project is part of an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant called ‘Connecting Content,’ with the goal of connecting field notes, specimens and published literature.

Hearst Expedition

In May-June 2011, the Academy went on the Hearst expedition to the Philippines to survey the marine and terrestrial biodiversity. This was the largest multidisciplinary expedition in Academy history. Specimens that were brought back from the expedition are being processed in the Project Lab. To read more about the Hearst expedition, go to the 2011 Philippine Biodiversity Expedition webpage.

Out of the Lab

Curious to get a behind-the-scenes view of Academy Research and the labs where the work gets done? Scientists will join visitors at the Project Lab to share stories about dissecting and documenting the many specimens collected on their global expeditions.

Little Learners Lab

Families are invited to have their young learners be scientists-in-training and participate in fun hands-on experiments. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Meet a Scientist

Academy researchers work on a variety of projects in the Project Lab – from sorting the numerous animals newly collected in the Philippines to preparing real bird specimens for the collections and taking high-quality digital images of rare species. Now they also join visitors in front of the Lab to share their fascinating personal stories and provide insight into their research methods. Meet one of our scientists in front of the Lab at various times throughout the day on Saturdays and Sundays.

Sweet Side of DNA

Have you ever wondered what “the essence of life” – DNA – would look like if you held it in the palm of your hand? In the course of this 15-minute program, we will crush up fresh strawberries and extract their DNA in order to see it up close and personal – without the aid of a microscope. During the process, discover why some scientists call DNA the most extraordinary molecule on earth.

Specimen Spotlight

Did you know the Academy is home to more than 26 million specimens?! That’s a lot of fur, feathers, teeth and spines! Join us at the Project Lab as we highlight a different specimen each week.