Fungal Frameworks Show Promise as Next-Generation Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications
SALT LAKE CITY – Researchers at the University of Utah have discovered that a common soil fungus, Marasmius marquandii, can grow into a highly porous, biocompatible material resembling a hydrogel - possibly revolutionizing wound care and bone scaffolding. The findings, published in The Journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, suggest fungal mycelium could serve as a template for creating advanced biomedical implants and treatments.
The team observed that M. marquandii produces mycelial layers with varying porosity, ranging from 58 to 70 percent, depending on growth conditions. They hypothesize these differences stem from changes in the fungus’s growth rate and strategy; for example, porosity decreased when the fungi reached the surface, potentially prioritizing sideways growth. This suggests scientists could manipulate factors like oxygen supply and temperature to tailor the microstructure of the resulting material for specific applications.
“This one in particular was able to grow these big, beefy mycelial layers, which is what we are interested in,” says University of Utah materials engineer Steven Naleway. “Mycelium is made primarily out of chitin, which is similar to what’s in seashells and insect exoskeletons. It’s biocompatible, but also it’s this highly spongy tissue.” Naleway suggests the material could be used as a template for biomedical applications or even mineralized to create bone scaffolding.
While M. marquandii is not known to be harmful, researchers acknowledge that chitin can trigger rare allergic reactions, and animal studies indicate a potential for such responses. Further research is needed to assess compatibility with living tissue and mitigate any risks, referencing concerns similar to those depicted in The Last of Us. Though, the team emphasizes this is the first report of a mycelium species achieving such hydrogel-like properties under submerged growth conditions, positioning M. marquandii as a novel material for biomedical applications.The fungus also demonstrates a beneficial side, having been shown to help some plants grow.
