Periodic Reporting for period 1 - REMEDY (Archibiome tattoo for resistant, responsive, and resilient cities)
Reporting period: 2025-02-01 to 2026-01-31
The REMEDY project proposes a game-changing technology in the form of an archibiome tattoo that will allow bespoke and high-resolution decoration and functionalisation of new and existing buildings. Our ambition is to achieve a breakthrough in fundamental research in microbiology and synthetic biology, transfer the know-how to materials science in the form of engineered living materials, and develop compatible biofabrication processes that allow personalised design in the architectural context.
We propose the customisation of building appearance with living and active interkingdom microbial inks that will act similarly to probiotic skincare products, enhancing biotherapeutic architecture. The tailored and engineered microbial consortia will create a beneficial microbiome, providing resilience and resistance against pathogenic microorganisms, allowing carbon sequestration, oxygen production, and bioremediation among others. We will use the latest metagenomic tools to evaluate the functionome of the created microbial consortia along every step in the development of living inks. In silico analysis will be applied to predict combinations of microorganisms based on genome-scale models of metabolism. Machine learning models will be implemented for predictive analysis of growth patterns and structural outcomes, providing insights for further optimising ink formulations and printing parameters.
We propose the customisation of building appearance with living and active interkingdom microbial inks that will act similarly to probiotic skincare products, enhancing biotherapeutic architecture. The tailored and engineered microbial consortia will create a beneficial microbiome, providing resilience and resistance against pathogenic microorganisms, allowing carbon sequestration, oxygen production, and bioremediation among others. We will use the latest metagenomic tools to evaluate the functionome of the created microbial consortia along every step in the development of living inks. In silico analysis will be applied to predict combinations of microorganisms based on genome-scale models of metabolism. Machine learning models will be implemented for predictive analysis of growth patterns and structural outcomes, providing insights for further optimising ink formulations and printing parameters.
During the first year of implementation, the REMEDY focused on establishing the biological foundations for the development of engineered living inks, which constitute one of the project's core enabling technologies. The initial phase concentrated on the systematic screening and selection of strategic microorganisms suitable for the formation of interkingdom microbial consortia. This activity aimed to identify non-pathogenic, environmentally adaptable microorganisms with complementary functional traits relevant to architectural applications. This work resulted in the identification of a curated set of microbial candidates that demonstrate strong potential for integration into living ink formulations. REMEDY developed and validated methodologies for cultivating microorganisms in stable interkingdom consortia. The co-culturing protocols enabled systematic observation of population dynamics and interactions between microbial partners, supporting the identification of conditions that promote balanced, functional consortia. Microbial communities were successfully assembled, initially in pairwise combinations and subsequently in more complex consortia comprising three or more microorganisms.
REMEDY advanced the development of improved biobased and living ink formulations. This work focused on establishing ink systems that are compatible with both biological components and architectural application requirements, including printability, stability, and interaction with underlying substrates. During the reporting period, iterative formulation activities were carried out to optimize the physicochemical properties of the inks, supporting reliable deposition and curing while maintaining suitability for integration with living microbial systems. Focus was paid to the use of biobased constituents and to achieving a balance between material performance and biological compatibility with living microorganisms. The initial ink formulations provide a flexible platform for further optimization and functionalisation.
In parallel with the biological research activities, the REMEDY advanced the technical work that focuses on the interaction between living inks and architectural substrates. During the first reporting period, experimental trials were conducted to improve ink wetting and adhesion across a broad range of substrates commonly used in architecture. Substrate pretreatment strategies were explored to mitigate risks of blistering, delamination, or loss of functionality over time. In addition, surface structuring approaches were investigated on cured ink layers to guide the spatial organization of microorganisms and to enhance their adhesion.
REMEDY advanced the development of improved biobased and living ink formulations. This work focused on establishing ink systems that are compatible with both biological components and architectural application requirements, including printability, stability, and interaction with underlying substrates. During the reporting period, iterative formulation activities were carried out to optimize the physicochemical properties of the inks, supporting reliable deposition and curing while maintaining suitability for integration with living microbial systems. Focus was paid to the use of biobased constituents and to achieving a balance between material performance and biological compatibility with living microorganisms. The initial ink formulations provide a flexible platform for further optimization and functionalisation.
In parallel with the biological research activities, the REMEDY advanced the technical work that focuses on the interaction between living inks and architectural substrates. During the first reporting period, experimental trials were conducted to improve ink wetting and adhesion across a broad range of substrates commonly used in architecture. Substrate pretreatment strategies were explored to mitigate risks of blistering, delamination, or loss of functionality over time. In addition, surface structuring approaches were investigated on cured ink layers to guide the spatial organization of microorganisms and to enhance their adhesion.
The REMEDY is establishing a novel paradigm for architectural surface design based on engineered living systems. Existing approaches to architectural coatings and façade treatments are predominantly passive, inert, and static, offering limited capacity for adaptation, regeneration, or environmental interaction. In contrast, REMEDY introduces the concept of a living, functional, and customizable “archibiome tattoo”, combining microbiology, materials science, and biofabrication within a single architectural application framework.
At the end of the first reporting period, the project has delivered results that go beyond current practices in two main aspects:
• REMEDY has demonstrated the feasibility of assembling stable interkingdom microbial consortia specifically selected for compatibility with material systems and architectural environments.
• REMEDY has progressed the integration of biological systems with biobased and synthetic material platforms through the development of first version of ink formulations and tailored surface–ink–substrate interfaces.
At the end of the first reporting period, the project has delivered results that go beyond current practices in two main aspects:
• REMEDY has demonstrated the feasibility of assembling stable interkingdom microbial consortia specifically selected for compatibility with material systems and architectural environments.
• REMEDY has progressed the integration of biological systems with biobased and synthetic material platforms through the development of first version of ink formulations and tailored surface–ink–substrate interfaces.