Dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM Materials research group leader, was recently featured on the Under the Microscope Podcast, where she discussed the emerging field of Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) and their potential to transform the future of architecture.

In the episode, titled “Bio-Inspired Design: Self-Healing Buildings and Fungal Coatings”, Dr. Sandak explores how Engineered Living Materials could transform architecture by enabling more adaptive, regenerative and sustainable building surfaces. She discusses research carried out within the ARCHI-SKIN and REMEDY projects, focusing on innovative approaches such as fungal biofilms and high-resolution bioprinting. These technologies could give building surfaces new functionalities, including self-healing properties, air-pollution remediation and natural UV protection through melanin.

The discussion also highlights the concept of “living tattoos” for architecture, the potential of fungal biofilms to withstand challenging environments such as microgravity and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing innovative research. Dr. Sandak also shares her perspective on mentoring the next generation of researchers and the growing role of artificial intelligence in scientific research.

Hosted by Pranoti Kshirsagar, who holds a PhD in Materials and Nanoscience, Under the Microscope Podcast features conversations with researchers from around the world, highlighting cutting-edge scientific advances, their societal impact and the people behind the research.

You are kindly invited to listen to the podcast episode.

Image and cover image: The Science Talk