The Ambrose Monell Collection for Molecular and Microbial Research is the American Museum of Natural History's newest research collection. Launched in May 2001, the Monell Collection will house approximately one million frozen tissue samples representing the DNA of a wide range of species. Potentially the largest and most comprehensive initiative of its kind, the Museum's frozen tissue collection will support a broad range of research, and allow scientists, today and in the future, to take full advantage of advances in genomic technology.