Research project
Friends and foes from the past – fungi in historical Leiden University collections
Which fungi live in Leiden University’s historic buildings and collections, and how can their impact on heritage and human health be understood and managed?
- Duration
- 2025 - 2026
- Contact
- Emilia Hannula
- Funding
- Kiem grant (Leiden University)
Introduction
Fungi play vital roles in ecosystems and are found everywhere – even in historical buildings and collections. Here, however, they can damage books, artifacts and property. Historical building at Leiden University host diverse fungal communities that remain largely unexplored.
Fungi are everywhere and play key roles in ecosystems, but in historical buildings and collections, they can also damage books, artifacts, and property. At Leiden University, these old buildings host diverse fungal communities that remain largely unexplored. Historians and collection managers often see fungi as destructive agents threatening cultural heritage, while fungal ecologists are intrigued by their unique diversity. Understanding these fungi is crucial both to preserve historical collections and to uncover their role in these unique spaces.
Research goal
The aim of this project is to characterise the fungal diversity within Leiden University’s historic buildings and collections, develop preservation-friendly ways to manage harmful species, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration between the sciences and humanities to better understand how microbial life and human culture interact.
Interdisciplinary approach
This initiative brings together expertise from multiple faculties: the Faculty of Science (Instute of Environmental Sciences) contributes knowledge in fungal ecology, molecular identification, and experimental methods; the Faculty of Humanities (Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society) provides insight into the historical and cultural value of collections, and helps integrate perspectives on preservation and human–microbe interactions. The project is part of the Leiden Biodiversity Network, linking facility management, research, and education, and fostering collaboration across disciplines.
Project description - Official title: Friends and Foes from the Past – Fungi in Historical Leiden University Collections
Historical buildings at Leiden University harbor complex fungal communities that have largely gone undocumented. This project explores these fungi from two perspectives: ecological and cultural. The natural sciences team isolates and identifies fungi from building materials, books, and surrounding environments, analysing growth preferences, origins, and potential risks to health or property. The humanities team provides expertise on historical collections, helping prioritise conservation concerns and contextualise findings within the cultural heritage of the university.
The project also investigates innovative, preservation-friendly methods to control harmful fungi, since traditional cleaning methods (like bleach) can damage fragile historical materials. In addition to studying known fungi, the research may uncover novel species adapted to these environments, which will be documented, named, and deposited in public culture collections for research, education, and outreach.
By connecting historians, collection managers, and ecologists, the project fosters long-term interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthens ties between research, education, and facility management, and contributes to preserving Leiden University’s historical buildings and collections for future generations.