In a major advancement for environmental research and preservation, Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has opened a new facility in Canberra. Valued at $90 million, the building, named Diversity, serves as a modern hub intended to house and protect over 13 million important biodiversity specimens. This initiative aims to improve research that enhances our understanding and management of the natural environment for future generations. These collections have been built over 150 years and are now supported by state-of-the-art laboratories and research equipment. Dr.
The new hub is expected to allow for better monitoring of the environment, including pests and weeds, while assisting in efforts to protect endangered species, prevent disease, and promote sustainable use of natural resources. He pointed out that for more than a century, these collections have been a silent yet crucial foundation for Australian science, policy, agriculture, biosecurity, and conservation. He referred to them as a “hidden powerhouse,” highlighting their wide-ranging applications, from tracking pest invasions and discovering new species to understanding the genetic diversity of Australia’s native ecosystems. Scientists’ interaction with the collections will undergo a transformation thanks to the new genomics and digitization facilities. These technologies will allow for more information to be extracted and shared than ever before, linking physical specimens with digital platforms, which include DNA sequences and high-resolution images.
This technological integration makes the collections accessible to researchers, governments, and citizen scientists worldwide, promoting collaboration in environmental science. Toni Moate, CSIRO’s Director for National Collections and Marine Infrastructure, noted that Diversity is the newest purpose-built collections facility of its kind globally. She mentioned that research teams working with the collections are continually finding new ways to use them for the benefit of Australians. She cited examples such as the potential use of spider wasp venoms for new medicines and analyzing historic reptile collections to track how animals are responding to climate change. Ms. Moate expressed her belief that the new facility would significantly speed up this work and open new areas of research.
Dr. Holleley clarified that these biological collections hold immense potential, and the new facility is revolutionizing the sharing and utilization of these resources. She mentioned that collecting specimens helps scientists understand long-term environmental trends and prepare species for future challenges. She also shared that her team often gets to be the first globally to examine a specimen, sequence a gene, or solve a scientific puzzle in a new way.
The building resulted from extensive consultation between the architectural firm Hassell and collections researchers and engineers over 10 months. This collaborative design process ensured the facility could preserve delicate specimens and improve scientific capabilities. Construction began in autumn 2022 and took just over two years to complete, while the careful relocation of the 13 million specimens required about one year. Unlike a museum, Diversity is a research facility that is not open to the public. However, it welcomes scientists and collaborators from around the world for critical research.
