Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ARCHI-SKIN (Bioinspired living skin for architecture)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2025-02-28
ARCHI-SKIN will use the bottom-up and materiomic approach for the development of a biologically inspired concept for outdoor materials protection. The fungal biofilms’ formation mechanisms, structure, composition, functionality, quorum sensing, and performance will be deeply investigated to design an innovative coating system working in conjunction with, and not against, nature. Advancement of laboratory routines, new high throughput methodology based on time-lapse microscopy and hyperspectral imaging, and prototype equipment will be developed to assess and monitor dynamic living systems in situ. ARCHI-SKIN will provide advanced scientific knowledge related to four key stages of biofilm development: attachment and colonization, nutrients and growth, maturation and structure, and communications and synergies. This will allow for understanding the physicochemical mechanisms underlying the optimized biological systems and bridge the knowledge gap on the chemistry and structure of the fungal biofilms’ interfaces.
The design-build-test-learn approach will be implemented for the development of a novel concept for the protection of various building materials (wood, concrete, stone, brick, steel, and plastic). A prototype microbial coating based on biofilm built by the yeast-like ubiquitous and widespread oligotroph fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans, will be developed. The concept is based on a technically applicable, controlled and optimized biofilm formation that effectively protects the substrate surfaces, assuring optimal service life performance and different functionalities including self-healing. Two main parallel research lines related to the optimization of coating formulation, applicable to porous and non-porous materials, will be conducted. The interaction of active ingredients with A. pullulans and the biological, chemical, and mechanical stability of the developed coatings will be tested in laboratory and field conditions (artificial and natural weathering trials) to follow in-situ growth, development, and maturation and reveal kinetics and mechanisms of biofilm formation, stability, and resilience.
The concept of a living coating system is pioneering research and will trigger further developments in materials science and the advancement of engineered living materials (ELM). The bioinspired protection approach merged with bio-based ingredients certainly contributes toward sustainable materials design. The project has the ambition to contribute to global sustainability by addressing several of the UN SDGs (in particular: 9, 11, 12, 13). By delivering a protection strategy from the synergistic power of active bio-based ingredients, living fungal cells, and nature-inspired mechanisms for preventing materials deterioration is in line with the recently published Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the European Green Deal priorities. ARCHI-SKIN will contribute to the EU’s 2050 long-term strategy for a climate-neutral Europe by replacing fossil-based materials with renewable bio-based materials and boosting innovation for safe and sustainable chemicals. The community will profit from the lack of biocides and fossil-based ingredients that will be not present in the ARCHI-SKIN formulation and the bioremediation capacity of the developed coating. Application of ARCHI-SKIN coating in big cities will potentially contribute to lowering air pollution, a major global urban challenge resulting in an estimated extra 800,000 deaths a year in Europe. The enhancement in performance due to self-repair functionality will improve the environmental impact and reduce the cost burden of premature failure in service and maintenance activity. The project will also contribute to gender equality by use of gender-sensitive communication and including gender aspects in the research, which will further encourage gender-related research and training in the field of materials.
The design-build-test-learn approach will be implemented for the development of a novel concept for the protection of various building materials (wood, concrete, stone, brick, steel, and plastic). A prototype microbial coating based on biofilm built by the yeast-like ubiquitous and widespread oligotroph fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans, will be developed. The concept is based on a technically applicable, controlled and optimized biofilm formation that effectively protects the substrate surfaces, assuring optimal service life performance and different functionalities including self-healing. Two main parallel research lines related to the optimization of coating formulation, applicable to porous and non-porous materials, will be conducted. The interaction of active ingredients with A. pullulans and the biological, chemical, and mechanical stability of the developed coatings will be tested in laboratory and field conditions (artificial and natural weathering trials) to follow in-situ growth, development, and maturation and reveal kinetics and mechanisms of biofilm formation, stability, and resilience.
The concept of a living coating system is pioneering research and will trigger further developments in materials science and the advancement of engineered living materials (ELM). The bioinspired protection approach merged with bio-based ingredients certainly contributes toward sustainable materials design. The project has the ambition to contribute to global sustainability by addressing several of the UN SDGs (in particular: 9, 11, 12, 13). By delivering a protection strategy from the synergistic power of active bio-based ingredients, living fungal cells, and nature-inspired mechanisms for preventing materials deterioration is in line with the recently published Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the European Green Deal priorities. ARCHI-SKIN will contribute to the EU’s 2050 long-term strategy for a climate-neutral Europe by replacing fossil-based materials with renewable bio-based materials and boosting innovation for safe and sustainable chemicals. The community will profit from the lack of biocides and fossil-based ingredients that will be not present in the ARCHI-SKIN formulation and the bioremediation capacity of the developed coating. Application of ARCHI-SKIN coating in big cities will potentially contribute to lowering air pollution, a major global urban challenge resulting in an estimated extra 800,000 deaths a year in Europe. The enhancement in performance due to self-repair functionality will improve the environmental impact and reduce the cost burden of premature failure in service and maintenance activity. The project will also contribute to gender equality by use of gender-sensitive communication and including gender aspects in the research, which will further encourage gender-related research and training in the field of materials.
We hypothesized that certain fungi could create a protective layer on surfaces, helping to reduce damage and extend their durability. To test this, we examined the bioreceptivity of different architectural materials. After identifying several potential species, Aureobasidium pullulans emerged as the best candidate, due to its widespread presence, ability to thrive in extreme conditions, phenotypic plasticity, broad enzymatic activity, pigmentation, and non-pathogenic properties. In the first two years of the ARCHI-SKIN project, we monitored the growth and development of fungal biofilms. Our data analysis revealed several strains that significantly mitigated surface erosion and material degradation.
Selection of fungal candidate
Gaining insight into fungal colonization on different façade materials is essential for developing innovative approaches to material protection using optimized biofilms. We investigated the initial colonizers on various surfaces, focusing on the dominant species and the weathering responses of different building materials. Aureobasidium pullulans emerged as the ideal candidate for creating protective biofilms.
Advancement of laboratory practices and development of novel methodology and protocols
We developed several new protocols and laboratory routines that serve as the foundation for ARCHI-SKIN activities. The most relevant are listed below:
• A novel high-throughput methodology based on time-lapse microscopy (fluorescence and optical) for monitoring and understanding dynamic living systems.
• Use of mathematical models as bridges between materials’ description and real-life performance.
• Advanced in-silico methods, such as computational docking, molecular dynamics simulation for modeling and optimisation of the best nutrient source for the selected fungal strains.
Creation of fungal biofilm
Fungal biofilms, which are communities of fungi embedded in an extracellular matrix, possess unique properties like self-healing, adaptability, and the ability to biosynthesize functional molecules. By selecting suitable fungal candidates such as Aureobasidium and specific strains, and by controlling their growth, these biofilms can be engineered for specific applications, including architectural coatings for the building sector, among others.
Selection of fungal candidate
Gaining insight into fungal colonization on different façade materials is essential for developing innovative approaches to material protection using optimized biofilms. We investigated the initial colonizers on various surfaces, focusing on the dominant species and the weathering responses of different building materials. Aureobasidium pullulans emerged as the ideal candidate for creating protective biofilms.
Advancement of laboratory practices and development of novel methodology and protocols
We developed several new protocols and laboratory routines that serve as the foundation for ARCHI-SKIN activities. The most relevant are listed below:
• A novel high-throughput methodology based on time-lapse microscopy (fluorescence and optical) for monitoring and understanding dynamic living systems.
• Use of mathematical models as bridges between materials’ description and real-life performance.
• Advanced in-silico methods, such as computational docking, molecular dynamics simulation for modeling and optimisation of the best nutrient source for the selected fungal strains.
Creation of fungal biofilm
Fungal biofilms, which are communities of fungi embedded in an extracellular matrix, possess unique properties like self-healing, adaptability, and the ability to biosynthesize functional molecules. By selecting suitable fungal candidates such as Aureobasidium and specific strains, and by controlling their growth, these biofilms can be engineered for specific applications, including architectural coatings for the building sector, among others.
The ARCHI-SKIN project is accelerating the development of Engineered Living Materials (ELMs), positioning them as a revolutionary advancement for the building sector. ELMs offer transformative properties such as self-replication, self-healing, and self-regulation, which far surpass the capabilities of traditional "smart materials." As a result, ELMs can enhance the sustainability, durability, and efficiency of construction materials, thereby reducing maintenance needs and environmental impacts. The integration of biological organisms into engineered systems through ELMs will likely lead to groundbreaking applications in synthetic biology, materials engineering, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence.
Potential impacts include:
• Extended building material lifespans through active self-healing properties.
• Reduced environmental footprint, with entirely biobased materials capable of adapting to changes in their environment.
• Lower maintenance costs, as materials can autonomously repair surface damage.
• New sustainable building technologies that actively respond to environmental changes and are capable of bioremediation.
Potential impacts include:
• Extended building material lifespans through active self-healing properties.
• Reduced environmental footprint, with entirely biobased materials capable of adapting to changes in their environment.
• Lower maintenance costs, as materials can autonomously repair surface damage.
• New sustainable building technologies that actively respond to environmental changes and are capable of bioremediation.