💎 Hy-five: Grant Funding, Skincare, Drug Discovery, MycoWorks Performance Data, Meati's Turmoil
Sporadic round-up of mycological research and industry news.
Hello dear fungi enthusiast,
The Gfi 2025 Research Grant Program RFP is now live! They are seeking proposals for two key topic areas, the first of which “Functionality from fermentation: ingredients for plant-based meats” is particularly interesting for the fungal biotechnology space. They are looking to identify and characterise fermentation-derived ingredients that enhance alternative protein-based meat products to increase their adoption through improved taste, lowered cost, and nutritional benefits.
Total funding available: Up to $3.5MM
Project duration: Up to 24 months
Funding amount per project: Up to 250,000 USD with up to 50,000 USD additional funding for projects partnering with researchers and/or industry stakeholders not previously engaged in alternative protein research.
Submission deadline: May 15th, 2025 at 12pm ET/9am PT
Learn more about the grant here.
#1 Fungal Drug Discovery for Chronic Disease: History, New Discoveries and New Approaches
Fungi have revolutionised medicine, yielding some of the most crucial pharmaceuticals in history. From the accidental discovery of penicillin in 1928 to the blockbuster statins that transformed cholesterol management, fungal-derived compounds have shaped modern healthcare. But as researchers exhaust conventional screening methods, new genomic tools and bioinformatics are opening up fresh opportunities for drug discovery.
A fascinating review from London Kew Gardens's research team published in Biomolecules (Prescott et al., 2023) delves into the past, present, and future of fungal drug discovery, highlighting approved drugs, clinical trials, and innovative approaches that could unlock the next generation of therapeutics.
2# Fermented Djon Djon: New Research in Skincare to Address UV Damage and Skin Ageing
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the primary causes of skin ageing, leading to oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen degradation. As the cosmetics industry searches for natural, effective ingredients to combat these effects, a new study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (Pu et al., 2025) suggests that a fermented extract of the Haitian Djon Djon mushrooms could offer protective benefits for skin health.
3# MycoWorks Unveils New Technology to Enhance the Performance of Its Biomaterial Now Available to Purchase Online
Pioneering biomaterials company MycoWorks today shares the latest performance data for their premium flagship mycelium material, Reishi™ - the first Fine Mycelium™ material to enter the luxury materials market. The 25th of February also marked the first time customers can purchase MycoWorks' high-performance mycelium-made materials directly with the launch of the company's first ever e-commerce site.
4# Meati Foods’ $450M Financial Cris: What Went Wrong for the Mycelium Meat Pioneer?
Meati Foods, leader in mycelium-based meat alternatives, is facing an unexpected financial crisis that threatens its operations and workforce. The Colorado-based company, known for using fungal mycelium as a protein source, recently announced that its lender had pulled funding, forcing the company to warn state officials of a possible shutdown of its Thornton, CO facility and the layoff of 150 employees by May 2025.
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