Page 21 - InnoRenew CoE International Conference 2024

Investigation of fungal biofi lms for building skin

Anja Černoša *, Ana Gubenšek , Valentina Hribljan , Wojciech Pajerski ,
1
1,2
1,
1
Faksawat Poohphajai 1,2,3 , Karen Butina Ogorelec , Anna Sandak 1,2,4
1,2
1 InnoRenew CoE, Livade 6a, 6310 Izola, Slovenia; anja.cernosa@innorenew.eu, ana.gubensek@innorenew.eu, valentina.hribljan@innorenew.eu,
Wojciech.pajerski@innorenew.eu, faksawat.poohphajai@innorenew.eu, karen.butina@innorenew.eu, anna.sandak@innorenew.eu
2 Andrej Marušič Institute, University of Primorska, Titov trg 4, 6000 Koper, Slovenia; ana.gubensek@iam.upr.si, faksawat.poohphajai@iam.upr.si,
karen.butina@iam.upr.si, anna.sandak@iam.upr.si
3 Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, 00076 Aalto, Finland;
faksawat.poohphajai@aalto.fi
4 Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, 6000 Koper, Slovenia;
anna.sandak@famnit.upr.si
* Corresponding author

Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) are innovative materials with living properties that offer functionalities
beyond those of conventional materials. In our project “Bioinspired Living Skin for Architecture (ARCHI-
SKIN)” we are developing a living fungal coating that is suitable for various architectural materials (wood,
concrete, stone, brick, steel, plastic). The fungal coating not only offers an environmentally friendly alternative
to current coatings, but also provides additional functions such as self-repair, UV protection, bioremediation,
and antimicrobial properties. The fungus Aureobasidium pullulans was chosen as the ideal candidate because
it can form a biofilm, grow under extreme conditions, and has antimicrobial properties. Importantly, this fungus

is non-pathogenic to humans, and has been isolated from various architectural surfaces, making it a promising
solution for sustainable and functional architectural coatings.

The process and mechanisms of biofilm formation by A. pullulans are currently under investigation. Initially,

the focus was on the attachment and colonisation of A. pullulans cells on different types of materials, as these

processes are key factors for early biofilm formation. Subsequently, the kinetics of biofilm growth and the

influence of different nutrients on its development and production were investigated. An interesting feature
of A. pullulans is its dimorphism, i.e. the fungus can form yeast cells or hyphae. The type of growth is strain
dependent. Therefore, how these two morphologies influence the formation, growth and maturation of biofilms

was also investigated.

Future research will not only examine the complex structure of biofilms formed by different strains of A. pullulans
but will also explore their antagonistic interactions with other microorganisms and evaluate the overall stability of

these biofilms. These results will serve as a basis for the study of biofilm formation by A. pullulans and contribute
to the development of living coatings optimised for different types of materials, which is the main goal of the
ARCHI-SKIN project.

Keywords: ELMs, fungi, biofilm, building skin

Acknowledgment: This research was funded by the European Union (ERC, ARCHI-SKIN, #101044468).

Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the
European Union or the European Research Council. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can
be held responsible for them.

11–12 SEPTEMBER 2024 I IZOLA, SLOVENIA 21