🌐 Hy-five: Mycorrhizal Partnership, Open-Source Mycelium Material, Fungal Battery, Fungi and Cancer Therapy
Sporadic round-up of mycological research and industry news.
Hello dear fungi enthusiast,
If you didn’t have it on your radar yet, SPUN (Society for the Protection of Underground Networks) published new research in Nature Magazine last week. They built a robot to track plant-fungal trade networks. By following half a million fungal highways and the traffic flows of nutrients within them, they discovered how plants and their mycorrhizal fungal networks build hyperefficient supply chains to trade carbon and nutrients.
In this context, MycoStories is partnering with SPUN to showcase the progress of their research, critical to global conservation efforts. This collaboration will highlight the latest findings in underground biodiversity, bridging the gap between research, industry, and policy.
MycoStories has spent the last few years building a platform that connects mycologists, innovators, and industry leaders. By working together, SPUN and MycoStories will ensure that the invisible kingdom beneath our feet receives the attention it deserves. Fungi hold the key to a more resilient planet. Understanding and protecting them isn’t just an ecological necessity—it’s a survival strategy.
Learn more about SPUN’s work and our partnership.
#1 3D Printing Mycelium Biocomposites from Recycled Coffee Grounds Using Open-Source Tools 🔓
A new study from researchers at the University of Washington reveals an innovative approach to sustainable manufacturing. In their work, the team demonstrates how recycled coffee grounds can be transformed into living biocomposites using 3D printing technology.
The essence of the breakthrough lies in the creation of a unique biopaste called “Mycofluid.” To bring Mycofluid to life, the team engineered a custom, open-source 3D printing system known as “Fungibot.” This system is designed to be accessible and cost-effective, built entirely from off-the-shelf components and compatible with standard 3D printers.
2# Breaking Down the Barriers: The Future of Mycelium-Based Materials 🚧
A recent review by Hortense Le Ferrand and her team at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, analyses significant barriers still stand in the way of mycelium-based products becoming mainstream. The study sheds light on the technical, scientific, and market challenges that need to be addressed to unlock the full potential of mycelium.
3# A Battery That Feeds Itself: Could Fungi Could Power the Future? ⚡
Researchers at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, have developed a living, biodegradable fungal battery that runs on sugar. Once its job is done, it digests itself from the inside out.
Technically, this isn’t a battery in the conventional sense but a microbial fuel cell. It works by harnessing the metabolic activity of fungi. The battery doesn’t produce large amounts of power, but it’s enough to run a temperature sensor for several days, making it useful for agricultural and environmental monitoring. Unlike traditional batteries, this one is entirely biodegradable and non-toxic.
4# Fungi as a Promising Ally in Cancer Therapy: Insights from Recent Research 🔬
Recent research has uncovered the remarkable potential of fungi—not just as a source of bioactive compounds, but as a platform for producing life-saving anticancer drugs. Two groundbreaking studies, one exploring taxane-producing fungi and the other investigating mushroom-derived β-glucans, have shed light on how fungi could revolutionize cancer therapy.
Both studies highlight the importance of targeting mitochondrial function in cancer cells. Fungal-derived compounds can induce mitochondrial depolarization, leading to cancer cell death. This mechanism could pave the way for new therapies that specifically target the metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells, offering a more precise and effective approach to treatment.
Need support? Maybe we can help.
MycoStories works with founders, investors, industry leaders, and research institutions.
Leveraging a global network of subject-matter experts, MycoStories helps founders scale their business, guides investors and industry leaders in identifying high-potential opportunities, and empower researchers to translate their work into real-world applications.
Don’t hesitate to reach-out. If we can’t help, someone within the community will. ✊🏽