We’re excited to launch our new project – STAR – Space Testing for Advanced Resilience of Engineered Living Materials
Building on our ERC project ARCHI-SKIN, which developed living, bio-based coatings for architecture, STAR takes this concept a step further. After receiving an ERC Proof of Concept Seal of Excellence, the project is now supported by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS).
In STAR, we explore how Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) perform under extreme space conditions – including microgravity, radiation, temperature fluctuations, and limited nutrients. By studying fungal biofilms and their ability to adapt and self-repair, we aim to understand how living materials can maintain functionality in unpredictable environments. These insights could help advance self-healing, sustainable materials for architecture – both on Earth and in future space applications.