The Department of Scientific Research, Paintings Conservation, and the American Wing at the Met have been awarded a National Endowment of the Humanities Research and Development Grant for their “A Novel Tripartite Approach to Biomolecule Analysis” project to develop a scientific methodology for biomolecule identification in art, demonstrated on chia oil in Mexican lacquerware and painting dating from the viceroyalty of New Spain. This project is in collaboration with the Hispanic Society of America, Weill Cornell Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and Grupo Artesanal Tecomaque. This award was also highlighted in a recent New York Times article. To learn more visit the Chia Oil project page.