Coupling of molecular photo-active elements to mycelia: A step closer to fungal sourced engineered living materials

This study aimed to develop an understanding of the chemical functionality present in different species of fungal mycelium and use this functionality to generate novel materials, by coupling to a molecular switching agent that is sensitive to light. Three methods (NMR, titration, FTIR) to quantify the level of free amine groups present in mycelial chitin extracts were compared and approaches to increase the level of amine functionalisation explored. A novel photoswitch, 2,2-biscarboxyl-3,3-azothiophene was synthesised, coupled to mycelial extracts and the efficiency of the coupling process was explored. 1H-NMR was found to be the best technique to quantify amine functionality on chitosan sources, whilst Raman spectroscopy was used to confirm the formation of the novel functionalised mycelial materials. These findings bring us a step closer to the generation of fungal engineered living materials, by functionalizing the fungal cell wall and enabling it to act as a biotemplate for a new organic photoswitch system. The 2,2-biscarboxyl-3,3-azothiophene can be used to dye the mycelium, but it can also play a role in directing the growth of mycelial materials and, as a potential light sensitive data storage system.

Development of novel azothiophene photoswitches coupled to mycelia.