With funds from the National Science Foundation and with cooperation from the Antarctic Heritage Trust, the The University of Minnesota (USA) University of Waikato in New Zealand have been studying the microorganisms active in this extreme environment. The fungi responsible for decaying the wood are very unusual and species identified are rarely found in temperate areas. Since these species have received little to no study, teams from these universitities are currently working on the biology and ecology of these unique microorganisms. Environmental monitoring of the huts is also currently underway and ways to prevent mold growth inside the huts on wood, textiles, paper, etc. is being investigated.