Researchers found that mushroom mycelium grown from dikaryotic strains (with two nuclei) produces stronger, stiffer materials than traditional monokaryon strains used in mycelium-based products. These dikaryotic materials show tensile strength values comparable to some polymers, making them promising for creating sustainable alternatives to leather and textiles. The improved strength comes from differences in cell wall composition and lower expression of a hydrophobin gene, offering new possibilities for bio-based material development.