Living fungus-based building material repairs itself for over a month

Researchers have pioneered a groundbreaking building material utilizing the root-like mycelium of a fungus coupled with bacteria cells. Their findings, which have been documented in Cell Reports Physical Science, reveal that this innovative material, created with living cells at low temperatures, possesses the unique ability to self-repair, potentially offering a sustainable alternative to traditional high-emission building materials like concrete.

“Biomineralized materials may not yet have the requisite strength to fully replace concrete in all applications, but efforts are underway to enhance their properties for broader utilization,” stated corresponding author Chelsea Heveran, an assistant professor at Montana State University.

In contrast to other biomaterials of a similar nature that typically remain functional for only days or weeks, the materials developed by Heveran’s team, which incorporate fungal mycelium and bacteria, maintain their utility for at least a month.

“The longevity of our materials is truly remarkable, as it opens up possibilities for additional cellular functions,” noted Heveran.

With prolonged presence of bacteria within the material, their cells are capable of executing various beneficial functions such as self-repair in case of damage and remediation of contaminants.

While materials derived from once-living organisms are starting to surface in the commercial realm, those constructed with living organisms pose challenges, mainly due to their short lifespan and lack of intricate internal structures necessary for many construction projects.

To tackle these obstacles, the research team, spearheaded by lead author Ethan Viles from Montana State University, delved into utilizing fungal mycelium as a scaffold for biomineralized materials, drawing inspiration from its prior use as a scaffold for packaging and insulation materials. The team worked with the fungus species Neurospora crassa and successfully crafted materials with diverse complex architectures.

“Our findings underscore the utility of fungal scaffolds in controlling the internal structure of the material. We managed to create internal geometries resembling cortical bone, paving the way for potential construction of other geometries in the future,” remarked Heveran.

The researchers are optimistic that their new biomaterials could eventually replace environmentally taxing building materials like cement, which contribute significantly to carbon dioxide emissions from human activities.

As a next phase, they aim to further enhance the materials by extending the lifespan of the cells and streamlining the manufacturing process for larger-scale production.