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Living building materials incorporating fungi and bacteria are being explored as a potential solution for sustainable construction, offering the possibility of self-repair and growth. A significant global challenge in the pursuit of mitigating waste and greenhouse gas emissions is the development of environmentally friendly construction alternatives. The production of concrete, specifically, is a major contributor to this issue, accounting for over 5% of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists are investigating biologically engineered materials derived from cells that exhibit inherent properties like self-assembly, self-healing, and even photosynthesis. Nature provides inspiration, with numerous robust, mineralized structures observed in living organisms, including bone and coral.
Mycelium-Based Building Materials
Developing Mycelium-Based Scaffolds
Chelsea Heveran and her team at Montana State University explored the creation of similar mineralized structures, utilizing a framework made of fungal mycelium. Mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi, is composed of a network of microscopic, branching filaments.
Mineralization Process
Heveran’s team cultivated a mycelium scaffold from the fungus species Neurospora crassa. Subsequently, they introduced the bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii to this mycelium framework.
During the metabolic processes of the fungus and bacteria, utilizing urea within their growth environment, a hardened material emerged, comprised of calcium carbonate – the same compound that constitutes eggshells and seashells.
Inspiration from Bone Structure
Heveran explained that the team’s approach was inspired by bone, where biomineralization occurs on a scaffold of collagen and other proteins. “Bone is incredibly strong and tough given how lightweight it is,” Heveran stated.
Extended Viability and Future Applications
Previous attempts at creating living materials in laboratory settings have often resulted in short lifespans, lasting only a few days. However, the material developed by Heveran’s team demonstrated viability for at least one month.
“We are excited about our results and aim to engineer more intricate and larger-scale structures,” Heveran noted. “With enhanced viability, the material could potentially be imbued with enduring biological functionalities of interest, such as self-healing, sensing capabilities, or environmental remediation.”
Expert Perspective
Aysu Kuru from the University of Sydney commented that “utilizing mycelium as a scaffold for living materials is a straightforward yet effective approach.”