Stress-Induced Preconditioning for Resilient Engineered Living Materials in Probiotic Architecture

Buildings are an essential part of human life, providing shelter, spaces for work, and hubs for community activities. However, conventional construction methods have a big negative impact on the environment. To achieve sustainability, alternative approaches using natural and environmentally friendly materials, such as wood, are being employed. Regenerative sustainability takes this a step further, not only by minimizing harm but also by creating a net positive impact on both the environment and the community. Engineered living materials (ELMs) represent an innovative frontier in realizing regenerative sustainability. The aim of PRO-TECTURE project is to develop more resilient and efficient ELMs by preconditioning living fungal cells (biofilm used as ELM) with abiotic stress. Previous research has shown that exposure to mild stress can trigger adaptive responses, preconditioning biological systems to be more resilient to future stressors. The PRO-TECTURE project will use stress preconditioning to enhance the resilience of ELMs, investigating the existence and duration of stress memory, as well as intraspecies stress communication through secreted molecules. Furthermore, given the ERs background in biomedicine, the project will explore the possibility of interkingdom stress communication between pre-stressed fungi and human cells. By integrating ELMs into building practices, it is anticipated that these structures will not only minimize negative environmental impacts but also actively contribute to environmental restoration and enhance human well-being and health in the built environment. The PRO-TECTURE aims to stimulate innovation and facilitate knowledge transfer between the host and the ER by establishing a robust research network, organizing events, mentoring young researchers, and managing projects. Through this fellowship, the ER will gain advanced research and scientific skills, acquiring new competencies to achieve professional maturity and independence.