What happens when a biologist starts listening to fungi?
For Jara Salueña Martín, it opened the door to a whole new way of thinking about materials, sustainability, and the future of design.
In this short but inspiring interview, Jara shares her journey into the world of mycomaterials – and why she believes working with living organisms isn’t just a scientific challenge, but also a creative collaboration.
As an external expert in the Mycomaterials Production Course, what makes your perspective valuable for the field?
I would say I have a unique combination of hands-on experience and a long-term view of how the mycomaterials field has evolved. I’ve been working with fungi for nearly a decade, starting in the early days of this emerging field, across both academic settings and startups ranging from 3 to 300 employees. During this time, I’ve developed fungi-based materials with the potential to replace plastic foams, leather, and wood-based boards, with applications ranging from interior design and footwear to packaging, food, and construction.
In addition to this work, I’ve provided scientific consulting to companies in the sector and I helped design courses on mycelium materials. Having seen the field from many angles, I aim to help participants understand not just how to grow mycelium materials, but why each choice matters when turning a biological process into a functional product.
At what point did you realize how relevant your expertise was for the production side of things?
I think the moment it really clicked for me was when I joined a very early-stage startup after several years of working with mycelium in different labs. Suddenly, all the knowledge I had gathered (from academic settings to industry) became incredibly practical.
I was responsible for setting up an entire lab from scratch; purchasing equipment, developing a working bioprocess, and building a research team.
That experience showed me just how transferable my background was for the production side of things. I didn’t have all the answers, but I had the tools and confidence to lead the team towards them.
What are some common misconceptions you encounter regarding mycomaterials?
One common misconception is that working with fungi is as simple as growing a mushroom into a mold.
While it might look like just filling a form and waiting, mastering the creation of mycomaterials is actually quite complex. Every step, from substrate preparation and strain selection to environmental control and post-processing, influences the final outcome.
Another common misunderstanding is the assumption that results with mycomaterials are consistent and easy to replicate.
In reality, heterogeneity is an inherent characteristic of fungi, leading to significant variability both between and within batches. What works for one strain might not work for another.
Going beyond basic techniques, this course aims to equip you with the tools to observe, adapt, and troubleshoot to develop robust bioprocesses.
Why do you think innovators should join this course?
Mycomaterials sit at the intersection of sustainability, biology, and cutting-edge design.
Whether you’re an artist, designer, entrepreneur, maker, or even if you are just curious, working with fungi offers a completely new way to interact with your creation. This course is designed for a wide audience and provides rich theoretical content, covering the fundamentals of fungal biology and how they inform key production choices. You’ll also learn about different production techniques and how to evaluate and test the materials you create.
With a strong hands-on component, in this course you’ll learn how to grow your own material from scratch, experiment with key parameters, and take home what you make. It’s not just about following steps; it’s about learning how choices in the process affect the outcome.
Along the way, you’ll become part of a growing community of learners and experts, sharing ideas, challenges, and inspiration.
How do you see the future of this field developing?
I see the future of mycomaterials full of exciting possibilities across many fields. As the technology and understanding of fungal biology improve, we’ll see more consistent, scalable production methods that harness the biological properties of fungi. Innovations in strain development, bioprocessing, and post-processing will unlock new properties and applications we haven’t even imagined yet.
Beyond the well-known uses in packaging, textiles, and construction, mycomaterials will increasingly play roles in food innovation, architecture, and emerging applications (e.g. mycoremediation, filtration, light diffusion…). The development of engineered living materials (ELMs) is especially promising, as it represents a paradigm shift toward materials that can sense their environment and respond to it.
Any final thoughts or reflections you’d like to add?
Working with mycomaterials teaches us stewardship and gratitude. It is a collaboration with the living organism, not just the handling of a material.
It’s about guiding growth, persuading rather than controlling, and respecting the autonomy of the organism.
Mycomaterials aren’t just new products; they represent a shift from linear manufacturing to circular, regenerative systems.
Bringing together scientists, designers, and makers, this field offers endless chances to combine biology, design, and purpose.
Thank you, Jara!
We’re grateful for your time and for sharing your insights with us. It’s a pleasure to have you as a guest expert in our Mycomaterials Production Course.
Further reading?
Curious about the scientific background? Jara co-authored an article in The Biochemist on the role of mycelium in sustainable material design.
About Jara Salueña Martin
Jara Salueña Martin is a PhD candidate in the Research Group of Microbiology (MICR) at the Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
🔗 Connect with Jara and the VUB Research Group of Microbiology (MICR) on LinkedIn