Understanding and engineering genetic factors in filamentous fungi that underly enhanced biological production of leather-like materials

The leather-producing industry is associated with a large negative environmental impact. A new revolutionary technology, relying on filamentous fungi such as Ganoderma lucidum, is able to provide solutions for problems related to animal-based leather production. This so-called "mycelium leather" has properties that are similar or even superior to animal leather, however, its production process has not yet been commercialized. Possibly, the lack of detailed knowledge on the relationship between the growth and development of the organism and the production process explains the limited
access to the full potential of this new type of leather. Here, I propose to study transcription factors that underlie mycelial development and cell structuring in G. lucidum that are relevant to the application. The role of Hom2 and Fst4 transcription factors will be characterized by mapping their regulons throughout different stages of the production process. A better understanding of the gene regulatory network will then be used to inform genetic engineering of G. lucidum, by
targeting the creation of strains that yield superior material properties. Ultimately, by connecting a biological understanding of
the organism’s development with insights into the production process of mycelium leather, I aim to achieve increased biomass production, superior physical properties and potentially new innovative features that benefit both the production process and material properties.