Photo on 2-13-20 at 8.23 PM.JPG — Mycelium

The Shapeshifting Empress

Location: IDM MicroLab
Type of Samples:

A piece of mycelium grown from a small piece of fungus (Oyster mushroom)shaved from cardboard
Swab of mixture: mycelium + fungus (Oyster mushroom) + water mixed

Method:
- Swabbed mycelium : Didn’t yield good results
- Used tweezers to detach mycelium from cardboard: Didn’t work. Mycelium is delicate (almost cotton candy like texture) and difficult to extract from the surface it’s grown on
- Mixed pieces of fungi with mycelium and mixed them with water. Then swabbed a sample from mixture: Broken and scattered pieces of mycelium and cardboard were seen under the microscope
- Took a small piece of fungus with mycelium grown around its tissue. This gave the best result.
- We used the microscope in IDM microlab and observed the sample under different magnification and brightness levels.
Interpretation:
The last sample allowed us to see the web of mycelium grown on a small piece of fungus. The 3D structure of this web was fascinating to see under the microscope, since mycelium looks flat and gossamer. We used a flashlight to add light from different directions, which resulted in some angelic looking mycelium pictures. How could this not be the hero in our microscopic world?

Act I: The Golden Empire

Mycelium ruled over the Golden Empire. She was poised, complex and delicate. She fashioned herself in fine and multidimensional white gowns that grew wider and more complex as she grew. In her quiet elegance hid the type of strength that could only be seen over time. It was resilience. After all, she was the hero who saved the Golden Empire and brought abundance to her land. She was admired by all for her nurturing nature. Everyone knew of her poise and power, but only a few knew how such a delicate being could be so mighty. Those few had seen her magic, in the dark foggy nights when she shape-shifted into a majestic golden dragon, spreading her gossamer web of wings over the land and nourishing it. But the empress had a dark secret; she wasn’t all powerful as everyone thought her to be. She feared the dark villain of death on his horse: Mold.

Photo on 2-13-20 at 8.40 PM.JPG — Mold

The Villain on a Horse

Location: IDM MicroLab
Type of Samples:
- A swab of green mold grown on fungi and cardboard
Method:
- Swabbed mold for 10 second and smeared on the slide
- We used the microscope in IDM microlab and observed the sample under different magnification and brightness levels.
Interpretation:
Sure, green mold under microscope looks like newly discovered Jackson Pollock’s paintings, but to us the disorganized and organic structure looked dark and villain like. Especially, when we saw how it was taking over the mycelium. Or perhaps that’s how we perceived it, since it ruined two of our mycelium samples…

Act II: The Dark Dungeon of Death (DDD)

Not far from the Golden Empire, in the upside down, a dimension hidden to all in the Golden Empire, ruled the villain of death in a dark dungeon up on the mountains. He ruled alone, for he was violently enraged all the time. He kept it hidden under his dark hood, but he spread it anywhere he went: a dark smear of dark, death and depression. He had ruined many kingdoms, the kingdom of Shitake his latest conquest. He sucked the life out the entire kingdom, but he still couldn’t satisfy his hunger for death. His silent rage was loud as he planned his attack on the Golden Empire. He believed that killing the shapeshifting empress would purify him and turn him golden too. It was the only thing left that could finally bring him peace and salvation.

Photo on 2-13-20 at 9.39 PM.JPG — IDM Grow

The first settlers

Location: IDM Grow Lab, Hydroponic system
Type of Samples:
- A swab of substrate + some soil + water that circulates the IDM Grow hydroponics system
Method:
- Swabbed the substrate for 20 second and smeared on the slide
- We used the microscope in IDM microlab and observed the sample under different magnification and brightness levels.
Interpretation:
It was difficult to find anything specific in this sample. It looked like a deserted island with a few plant cells scattered around; what looked like a broken piece of the plant’s root system and some unidentified objects/clusters. No sign of other organisms in this sample. SAD…

Act III: The New Kingdom

Far from the Golden Empire and the Dark Dungeon of Death, a new kingdom was born. One made of green plants and colorful flowers. It was called the IDM Grow. It brought joy to those who crossed it, but not many stayed to take roots in this new land. There were a few who occupied this pristine land: the first settlers. They were all good natured and kind, but seemed to be young and inexperienced. What they lacked in numbers they made up in vision, to multiply and cultivate the kingdom. To bring life and joy to all who lived in it and all who traveled across it.

Mycelium Update

Research Paper Outline

I found the following topics interesting and related to my thesis project, which focuses on the topic of bioDesign and biotechnology for space exploration. Specifically, food and material applications.