Tissue Morphologies in Filamentous Fungi

Abstract

The composite biomaterial employs a binding organism (a filamentous fungi that produce mycelium) based on the material physical properties required for the composite biomaterial and a modulating organism (bacteria, fungus or yeast) based on a desired effect of the modulating organism on the binding organism. The modulating organism is selected based on the desired effect on the binding organism.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composite biomaterial, wherein the biomaterial comprises:
 discrete particles;   a binding organism, wherein the binding organism binds the discrete particles; and   a modulating organisms, wherein the modulating organism is selected to induce aerial growth in the binding organism.   
     
     
         2 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein the modulating organism is homogeneously dispersed with the binding organism in the composite biomaterial. 
     
     
         3 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein the modulating organism and the binding organism have one or more interfaces in the composite biomaterial. 
     
     
         4 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 3 , wherein the binding organism exhibits aerial growth in response to the modulating organism at the one or more interfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein the modulating organism further induces the binding organism to produce thickened mycelium. 
     
     
         6 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein the binding organism is selected from the group consisting of:  Ganoderma tsugae, Trametes hirsuta  and  Ganoderma Oregonense.    
     
     
         7 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein the modulating organism is selected from the group consisting of:  Rhizopus  sp. and  Mucor  sp.,  Aureobasidium  sp.,  Trichoderma  sp.,  Penecillium  sp.,  Chlysonillia  sp., and  Aspergillus  sp., and  Phanerochaete  sp.,  Trichaptum  sp., Stereum sp.,  Phlebia  sp.,  Laetiporus  sp., and  Peniophora  sp. 
     
     
         8 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete particles comprise lignocellulose. 
     
     
         9 . A composite biomaterial of  claim 1  wherein the binding organism produces pigment. 
     
     
         10 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 9 , wherein the modulating organism is homogeneously dispersed in the composite biomaterial. 
     
     
         11 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 9 , wherein the modulating organism and the binding organism have one or more interfaces in the composite biomaterial. 
     
     
         12 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 11 , wherein the binding organism produces pigment in response to the modulating organism at the one or more interfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 9 , wherein the modulating organism produces pigment in response to the binding organism. 
     
     
         14 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 9 , wherein the binding organism is selected from the group consisting of:  Ganoderma tsugae, Trametes hirsuta  and  Ganoderma Oregonense.    
     
     
         15 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 9 , wherein the modulating organism is selected from the group consisting of:  Rhizopus  sp. and  Mucor s p.,  Aureobasidium  sp.,  Trichoderma  sp.,  Penecillium  sp.,  Chlysonillia  sp., and  Aspergillus  sp., and  Phanerochaete  sp.,  Trichaptum  sp.,  Stereum  sp.,  Phlebia  sp.,  Laetiporus  sp., and  Peniophora  sp. 
     
     
         16 . The composite biomaterial of  claim 9 , wherein the discrete particles comprise lignocellulose.