From Czechia to London: Mendel’s microscope now on display at Science Museum’s Future of Food exhibition
Gregor Mendel’s original microscope, used in his ground-breaking pea plant experiments, is now on display at London’s Science Museum as part of the Future of Food exhibition. Lent abroad for the first time ever by the Mendel Museum in Brno, the rare instrument highlights the roots of genetics in the context of today’s food and sustainability challenges. Ruth Fraňková discussed the exhibition with its curator Rupert Cole:
What is the Future of Food exhibition about and why did you choose to include Mendel's original microscope in it?
"The Future of Food exhibition, which has just opened at the Science Museum in London, is all about what needs to change in our food system to make it more sustainable and work for people and the planet. We were really interested in telling stories from the past, present, and future of food.
"So Mendel's microscope is part of a section all about genetic engineering, and we wanted to place genetic engineering within a longer history. A key step in that history is the beginning of genetics, which Gregor Mendel had a major role in shaping.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have it on display as one of the star objects in the Future of Food exhibition.”
"We got in touch with the Mendel Museum in Brno, and we were so excited to learn that we could actually borrow and display—possibly for the first time—Mendel's actual microscope, the one he used in uncovering the laws of genetics through his study of peas."
So what role does the microscope play in the exhibition?
"Mendel’s microscope in the Future of Food exhibition tells the story of the origins of genetic science. We’ve placed it in conversation with a DNA chip that contains cow DNA.
"This particular DNA is from cows that emit significantly less methane than average. So we’ve paired it with Mendel’s microscope to connect early genetic discovery with modern genetic science applied to animals and crops."
Where exactly is the microscope displayed in the museum within the exhibition?
"It’s in a section called Biotechnology, which is the third section of the Future of Food exhibition. It tells a broader story about how technology is being applied to food production.
"Specifically, Mendel’s microscope is in a subsection on genetic engineering, which looks at the history of breeding and how genetics have been applied to improve crops and animals.
"Physically, it’s on the first floor of the Science Museum when you come in."
Finally, the microscope is most likely exhibited outside of Czechia for the first time ever. How challenging was it to borrow such a rare item? And how long did the preparations take?
"I think we were working on this loan for maybe two years. We collaborated closely with the director of the Mendel Museum.
"Of course, we wanted to make sure every measure was in place to carefully protect it during its journey from Brno to the museum in London. And now that it’s on display, we’ve ensured it’s fully secure and in a climate-controlled environment.
"There are some lovely details. I was delighted when I first saw it in the museum. The lens cap is like a little hat that you place on top of the microscope. It also comes with one of Mendel’s original microscope slides, which the Mendel Museum kindly lent to us.
"So yes, it took a while, but the process was relatively smooth. We’re absolutely delighted to have it on display—it’s one of our star objects in the Future of Food exhibition."
