Mycelium – Page 2 – mycolab.ai

Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling up Architectural Applications of Mycelium-Based Materials with Digital Fabrication

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Mycelium, the root structure of fungi, can be grown with agricultural waste to create building materials that are environmentally friendly and biodegradable. While these materials show promise for insulation and non-structural uses, scaling them up for large buildings faces challenges including lower strength compared to traditional materials and lack of standardized production methods. The paper reviews various fabrication techniques and existing projects to suggest how digital design and advanced manufacturing could help overcome these barriers.

Mining logical circuits in fungi

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Researchers successfully embedded computing circuits into living mushroom materials. By applying electrical signals to fungal mycelium composites, they discovered the fungi could perform complex logical operations similar to computer gates. This breakthrough suggests that future building materials made from fungi could incorporate computing capabilities, leading to intelligent, living structures that respond to their environment.

Mycelium Growth and Development of Psilocybe spp. Mother Cultures on Agar-Based Media

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This research examines how different growing media affect four types of psilocybin mushrooms. The study found that malt extract agar worked best for some mushroom types while potato-based media worked better for others. Commercial powdered potato media performed poorly, especially for one sensitive strain. These findings help optimize mushroom cultivation for therapeutic and commercial purposes.

Anisotropic Growth of Filamentous Fungi in Wood Hydrogel Composites Increases Mechanical Properties

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Researchers developed new composite materials by growing fungi on specially treated wood. The fungi naturally grow along the wood’s fiber direction, creating stronger, more organized structures than they would in regular gelatin. By adjusting the wood type and nutrient levels, scientists could precisely control the mechanical strength of these eco-friendly materials, which could eventually be used in building products and packaging.

iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Proteomic Changes in Mycelium of Pleurotus ostreatus in Response to Heat Stress and Subsequent Recovery

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This study examined how oyster mushrooms respond to high temperatures using advanced protein analysis techniques. Researchers found that when mushroom mycelium was exposed to 40°C heat, it damaged cell membranes and changed the levels of hundreds of proteins. However, when the temperature returned to normal, the mushrooms could repair the damage and recover. Key proteins including heat shock proteins and stress-response enzymes played important roles in protecting the mushroom cells and helping them survive heat stress.

You Are What You Eat: How Fungal Adaptation Can Be Leveraged toward Myco-Material Properties

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Fungi can be grown to create eco-friendly materials that could replace plastics and petroleum-based products. By controlling what fungi eat and where they grow, scientists can engineer the properties of these materials to be stronger, more flexible, or water-resistant. This approach leverages the natural ability of fungi to break down organic matter and adapt to their environment. Companies like IKEA and Dell are already using these fungal materials in product packaging.

Characterization of spatio-temporal dynamics of the constrained network of the filamentous fungus Podospora anserina using a geomatics-based approach

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Researchers studied how a fungus called Podospora anserina adapts its growth pattern when exposed to challenging conditions like nutrient scarcity, temperature changes, and bright light. Using a novel computer mapping technique borrowed from geography, they discovered that fungi don’t just grow slower under stress—they reorganize how densely they pack their filaments. This geomatics approach revealed that different stresses cause different patterns of network densification, providing new insights into fungal survival strategies.

Fungal Innovations—Advancing Sustainable Materials, Genetics, and Applications for Industry

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Fungi can be engineered to create sustainable, eco-friendly materials that could replace traditional plastics and leather. Scientists are using advanced genetic tools to control how fungi grow and what they produce, enabling the creation of customized materials with specific properties. These fungal-based materials are biodegradable, require less water and energy to produce, and show promise for applications in packaging, clothing, and building materials. With improved manufacturing processes and genetic engineering, fungi could revolutionize how we make everyday products.

Filamentous fungal pellets as versatile platforms for cell immobilization: developments to date and future perspectives

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Filamentous fungi, commonly known as molds, can be grown into small spherical structures called pellets that act as excellent platforms for attaching and growing various types of cells. These fungal pellets are sustainable, biodegradable alternatives to synthetic materials and can support different cell types for applications ranging from producing cultivated meat to treating wastewater. The porous structure of fungal pellets allows cells to attach and grow while maintaining the ability to transfer nutrients and oxygen efficiently.

Cross-linking impacts the physical properties of mycelium leather alternatives by targeting hydroxyl groups of polysaccharides and amino groups of proteins

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Scientists developed a leather-like material made from mushroom mycelium by treating it with chemical cross-linkers similar to those used in traditional leather tanning. The best results came from using glutaraldehyde, which chemically bonded to the mycelium’s proteins and carbohydrates, creating a stronger and more durable material. While the mycelium leather now has comparable strength to conventional leather, it needs to be more flexible. This research offers a more environmentally sustainable alternative to animal leather.

Research Keyword: Mycelium