🦠 Hy-five: MycoStories turns Penicillium vulpinum
Sporadic round-up of mycological research and industry news.
Thanks to Alec Viver-Reynaud, MycoStories turns penicillium vulpinum, a species of fungus that can cause rot in stored sugar beet roots. 🍠
Alec Vivier-Reynaud, a bio-designer working in Paris and Caen, explores the intersection of biology and graphic design. He collaborates with the National Museum of Natural History in Paris to develop innovative techniques like "mycography," a bio-printing process using fungal inks. His work aims to create living images, highlighting the interconnectedness of life and challenging traditional visual paradigms. By integrating print, biology, and biotechnology, Vivier-Reynaud's research opens up new perspectives on the relationship between living organisms and design.
#1 Revo Foods Pioneers 3D-Printed Mycelium Salmon in World's Largest Food Printing Facility 🍣
In a groundbreaking development for the alternative protein industry, Austrian startup Revo Foods has unveiled what it claims to be the world's largest factory dedicated to 3D-printed food. This state-of-the-art facility, aptly named the Taste Factory, represents a significant leap forward in the production of plant-based seafood alternatives, particularly in the realm of mycelium-based products.
At the heart of Revo Foods' innovation is the marriage of mycelium - the root-like structure of filamentous fungi - with advanced 3D printing technology. The company's proprietary 3D Structuring tech allows for the combination of different materials, such as fat and protein, into complex forms that mimic meat muscle structures. This process is crucial in creating the desirable textures and juicy, tender structures that are key to replicating the experience of consuming traditional seafood.
2# UK Invests £1.6M in Cultivated Meat 'Sandbox': A Leap Forward for Alternative and Myco-Proteins 🧫
The UK government has awarded £1.6 million to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to create a first-of-its-kind regulatory 'sandbox' for cultivated meat producers. This initiative marks a significant step in the nation's efforts to bring cultivated meat to British plates, nearly five years after breaking away from the EU.
Mycelium steak by Adamo Foods.
The sandbox, set to launch in February, will be jointly run by the FSA and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) over a two-year period. It aims to address key questions such as labelling and collect "rigorous scientific evidence" about the technology behind cultivated meat. This approach is expected to significantly reduce the costs associated with regulatory applications - currently ranging from £350,000 to £500,000 per product - and help cultivated meat startups attract investment for scaling up their manufacturing capacity.
3# EU Grants €6.5M for Groundbreaking Psilocybin Study in Palliative Care 🧠
Earlier this year, in a landmark decision, the European Union has awarded €6.5 million to fund a multi-site randomised controlled trial exploring the potential of psilocybin therapy in palliative care. This grant marks the first time the EU has directly funded clinical research into psychedelic-assisted therapy, signalling a significant shift in the perception and potential of fungal-derived compounds in modern medicine.
The PsyPal project brings together a consortium of 19 European organisations from nine countries, coordinated by the University Medical Centre Groningen in collaboration with HumanKindLabs. This interdisciplinary approach reflects the complex nature of the research and the potential far-reaching implications of its findings.
The study will be conducted across four clinical sites, each focusing on a different progressive, incurable disease:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) at the University Medical Centre Groningen in the Netherlands
Atypical Parkinsonism (AP) at the Champalimaud Foundation in Portugal
Multiple sclerosis (MS) at the National Institute of Mental Health in the Czech Republic
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the University of Copenhagen and the Bispebjerg Hospital in Denmark
4# Functional Mushrooms: Exploration into Therapeutic Compounds by Oli Glenn-Bash 🌡
For thousands of years, various types of fungi have been utilised for their medicinal properties, almost to the point of veneration – with mushrooms such as lion's mane and reishi, having spiritual significance within Southeast Asian culture, as well as providing a multitude of health benefits on both a mental and physical level. Understanding how these types of fungi can benefit us in a preventative and curative manner can allow us to incorporate them into a healthy lifestyle, and support us in the most effective way possible.
With so many available products on the market, it's important to be able to make calm and informed decisions when we are choosing the right product to suit our needs. As the interest in the therapeutic application of fungi continues to grow, we can feel confident in knowing that we have the ability to understand the nature of their effects and how best to incorporate them into our daily routine.
Need support? Maybe we can help.
MycoStories works with founders, investors, industry leaders, and research institutions. By fostering cross-sector collaboration and leveraging a global network, 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. ✊🏽