The ARCHI-SKIN project, led by Dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM Materials research group leader and representative of the University of Primorska, is featured in the new report by the European Research Council (ERC), “ERC Frontier Research on Biotechnology: From discovery to innovation”. The project is highlighted in the section on sustainable biomimetic and biomass technologies as an innovative approach to protecting materials from environmental degradation.

Researchers working within the ARCHI-SKIN project are exploring the potential of fungal biofilms as eco-friendly, self-healing coatings for protecting engineered surfaces. They are studying how fungal biofilms form and function and how these properties could be replicated in protective materials. Their research combines time-lapse microscopy, mathematical modelling and computational tools to develop a high-throughput screening system for identifying fungal candidates suitable for different surfaces.

The ERC report highlights the potential use of these coatings in the building sector, where they could help extend the lifespan of materials while protecting them from environmental degradation. In the future, fungal biofilms could also contribute to the breakdown of pollutants through bioremediation.

Funded by the ERC under Horizon Europe, ARCHI-SKIN runs from September 2022 to August 2027. Researchers are investigating how living fungal cells and bio-based ingredients can be combined to develop protective coatings for biomaterial, concrete, plastic and metal surfaces.

The full ERC report is available here.

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