Modelling of morphogenesis to support the design of fungal-based engineered living materials
Vilhelm Carlström, Adrien Rigobello, Phil Ayres.
Abstract:
To realize the potential of materials comprising living organisms, bioengineers require a holistic understanding of the reciprocal relationship between environmental conditions and the biochemical and biophysical processes that influence development and behaviour. Mathematical modelling has a critical part to play in managing the complexity of biological dynamical systems and attaining higher degrees of control over their trajectories and endpoints. To support the development of mycelium-based engineered living materials, this paper reviews the literature of growth models for filamentous fungi with emphasis on the connection between morphogenesis and metabolism.
To realize the potential of materials comprising living organisms, bioengineers require a holistic understanding of the reciprocal relationship between environmental conditions and the biochemical and biophysical processes that influence development and behaviour. Mathematical modelling has a critical part to play in managing the complexity of biological dynamical systems and attaining higher degrees of control over their trajectories and endpoints. To support the development of mycelium-based engineered living materials, this paper reviews the literature of growth models for filamentous fungi with emphasis on the connection between morphogenesis and metabolism.
Illustration credit: Chair for Biohybrid Architecture, Royal Danish Academy, 2024.