Revolutionizing Wound Care: How Living Fungi Bandages Are Shaping the Future of Healing

Fungi are often seen as nature’s cleaners, breaking down dead plant and animal matter. But scientists at the University of Utah are exploring a new role for them: helping our bodies heal through special hydrogels.

These hydrogels need to mimic the complex layers of our skin and muscles. While researchers typically create synthetic versions, the team at Utah discovered a unique hydrogel produced by a fungus called Marquandomyces marquandii, a soil mold previously classified incorrectly.

This fungus has some amazing properties that make it suitable for biomedical uses. For starters, when grown in a special liquid, it can retain up to 83% water, which is crucial for any substance meant to mimic human tissue. As materials engineer Atul Agrawal points out, hydrogels are very promising for applications like tissue regeneration and cell culture.

Unlike other fungi that tend to be too brittle for these uses, M. marquandii forms a stable hydrogel with different porosities, or tiny holes, in its structure. Agrawal explains that the top layer has about 40% porosity while deeper layers can reach up to 90%. The way it grows and changes in density allows researchers to customize its properties, depending on what it’s needed for.

Mycologist Bryn Dentinger noted that the filament network of fungi, called mycelium, grows in a way that could be very useful. It continuously divides into cells while feeding, creating a robust structure. This makes fungi not just interesting for study but also a practical resource for new materials.

Additionally, the potential of M. marquandii extends beyond human applications. It can enhance plant growth, suggesting that it has beneficial interactions with living tissues as well. This opens up various avenues for research to further explore its compatibility with human biology.

While M. marquandii is not harmful to humans, there are still unknowns, particularly regarding possible allergic reactions. More studies will be needed to ensure safety as researchers look at using it in medical treatments, such as skin grafts or even joint replacements.

This research highlights the innovative ways scientists are turning to nature for solutions in medicine. As fungi hold immense promise, the future might see mushrooms playing significant roles in healthcare.

This study was recently published in The Journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.

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