Soil fungus discovered to grow hydrogels for tissue regeneration

Researchers at the University of Utah have discovered that a common soil fungus, Marquandomyces marquandii, can grow hydrogels with significant potential for biomedical applications such as tissue regeneration, cell scaffolding, and flexible medical devices. Unlike many fungi that lose water easily, M. marquandii produces thick, multilayered hydrogels capable of absorbing up to 83% water and recovering 93% of their shape and strength after repeated stress. These hydrogels mimic the softness of human tissue and exhibit unique porosity across layers, making them promising for biocompatible and adaptable medical materials. The discovery was serendipitous, initially arising from research on a fungus thought to contaminate fuel. The fungus’s mycelium, primarily composed of chitin (similar to seashells and insect exoskeletons), forms strong, flexible structures that distribute stress effectively. The research team, including mechanical engineering Ph.D. candidate Atul Agrawal and my