The fungus Neurospora crassa formed the scaffold of a living construction material
WIM VAN EGMOND/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Fungi and bacteria are being explored as potential components of a revolutionary living building material that can grow and repair itself. This innovative approach holds promise for addressing the urgent need for sustainable construction materials, as traditional methods like concrete production contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers are investigating the development of engineered living materials derived from cells, with the ability to self-assemble, repair, and even photosynthesize. Drawing inspiration from strong mineralised structures in nature, such as bone and coral, scientists are seeking to replicate these properties in artificial materials.
At Montana State University, Chelsea Heveran and her team conducted experiments using fungal mycelium as a scaffold, combined with the bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii. Through metabolic processes involving urea, the fungus and bacteria produced a hardened structure composed of calcium carbonate, a compound found in natural structures like eggshells and seashells.
The concept of using mycelium as a scaffolding medium for living materials is a promising avenue, as demonstrated by the viability of the structure created by Heveran’s team, which remained functional for at least a month. This longevity opens up possibilities for incorporating lasting biological characteristics into the material, such as self-healing, sensing capabilities, and environmental remediation.
Aysu Kuru, from the University of Sydney, commended the simplicity yet effectiveness of using mycelium as a scaffold for living materials. This innovative approach paves the way for creating more complex and larger structures with enhanced biological functionalities in the future.
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