Brought to you by IDH 3100: Honors Art + Environment

Miracles of Mycology | Linktree

How it's made!

Using bio-plastic filament, we were able to design and 3D print stackable shelves that form a planter for pink oyster mushrooms when configured. After careful design using the 3D printing software Rhino, these planters came to life in the Honors College 3D printing lab. Ceramic-based printing was also utilized to create the final design. Filled with pink oyster mycelium-based composite, watch these mushrooms grow throughout the week and learn more about the miracles of mycology!

What's on the Podium?

The mushroom you see on the forest floor is just the fruiting body of a much larger organism,
mycelium. This large mass of cells forms threads underground that initiate a multidirectional
transfer of nutrients between trees, plants, and other organisms. This underground network works
in the same way as the neurons in our brain, through electrical pulses. Under every footstep you
take is about 300 miles of fungi beneath you, compactly connected and constantly
communicating. We are more closely related to fungi than we are to any other kingdom.

What Is Mycelium?

We need more research and more voices advocating for the integration of natural, sustainable, and innovative myco-solutions. This is a call to further research and implement these interdisciplinary and often overlooked uses of mycology. Spread the spore and change the world!

Call to Action

Sustainable Solutions

Learn more!

Current global plastic production exceeds 300 million tons annually. Plastic pollution is the leading cause of biodiversity reduction as the polyethylene causes damage to birds, fish, and marine animals.
60 records of fungi have been identified to have the ability to degrade plastic debris, especially in marine life. Be the voice of a proper, eco-friendly solution to managing toxic plastic waste through fungi!

Biodegradation of Plastic

Watch this!

Mycoremediation: Tool referring to mushrooms and their enzymes having the ability to degrade a wide variety of environmentally persistent pollutants, fungi can transform industrial and agro-industrial wastes into environmentally sustainable products. Imagine an oil-loaded block of land that could be naturally remediated with mushrooms. The fungi can not only remove petroleum-based contaminants from the soil but break them down and recycle them as nutrients. Turning the oil-loaded land into clean soil that is flourishing with
fungal growth, thus rehabilitating the ecosystem.

Bioremediation of Oil Spills

Medicinal Uses

Humans share nearly 50% of their DNA with fungi and are more closely related to us than any other kingdom. As we often contract similar ailments, if we identify the natural immunities fungi have developed, we can extract them to help humans!

Turkey Tail Mushroom (Coriolus versicolor and Trametes versicolor) was found the play a role in prolonging overall survival in patients with gastric cancer, which is the 3rd most deadly cancer globally and a 5-year survival rate of less than 30%. Turkey tail contains polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties. This mushroom modulates the immune system, prevents lymph node metastasis, and overall improves survival outcomes. 

Cancer Treatments 

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US. While there is no cure for this infection, only medication to subside symptoms, there is a high need for alternative interventions. 
“Coriolus versicolor extract itself, and also its combination with another medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum, leads to improved HPV clearance in HPV cervical or oral-positive patients" (Rokos et. al, 2022).

HPV Treatments

Neurodegenerative diseases is a serious threat to public health among older adults. Drugs currently being proposed as treatments are mainly for symptom management and have adverse side effects. Neurodegenerative features of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s is the progressive loss of specific neurons. As well as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. 

Polysaccharides isolated from mushrooms such as Antrodia camphorate and Ganoderma lucidum, exhibit significant neuroprotective effects. From inhibiting apoptosis to increasing antioxidants that inhibit reactive oxygen species, the potential for mycological treatments of these diseases is undeniable.

Lions Mane Mushroom Offers
Neurogenesis: formation of new neurons in the brain and nervous system.
Neuroprotection: decreasing brain inflammation that minimizes waste buildup.
Neuroplasticity: connection between neurons that can be rebuilt and cause improvements in creativity, problem solving and decision making.

Treatments for Neurodegenerative Disease

Saving Endangered Species

Honeybees are a critical component in ecological stability. Widespread endangerment of this species is a result of a parasitic mite and a deformed wing virus. Currently there is limited success in controlling virus levels using miticides to stabilize honeybee populations.
Research indicated that mushroom mycelium extract with antiviral properties provides essential nutrition and immune benefits to the bees. This reduces the level of viruses among the bees and overall improves hive health. 


Save the Bees!