A Slovenian research institute will conduct an experiment in space involving a fungal biofilm that can be used to protect various materials in what it says is the first research of this kind.

The fungal biofilm is being developed at InnoRenew CoE, a research institute based in the coastal town of Izola that is dedicated to the development of sustainable building materials and biotechnology.

They have announced they are conducting the research as part of the ERC ARCHI-SKIN project to study the impact of space on engineered living materials.

An interdisciplinary research team is developing the biofilm for the protection of materials such as biomaterials, concrete, plastics and metals. A key feature of this biofilm is its natural ability to self-heal.

Under project leader Anne Sandak, the team is researching engineered living materials that can adapt and respond to environmental change.

ARCHI-SKIN introduces a new dimension to materials - life - and redefines their meaning, design and use.

The InnoRenew Centre of Excellence research institute in Izola. Photo: University of Primorska

The fungal biofilm will be sent into orbit as part of Mission Possible 2025, the Exploration Company's first mission to be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in the first half of 2025.

The mission will see a demonstration capsule carry 300 kilograms of cargo into the Earth's orbit, including the company Genesis SFL's MayaSat-1 satellite.

The capsule will remain in space for three hours before re-entering orbit and returning to Earth, InnoRenew CoE said.

The main goal of MayaSat-1 in this mission is to demonstrate the feasibility of sharing the satellite to carry cargo for extended biological experiments in space.

Once the fungal biofilm is back on Earth, the InnoRenew CoE researchers will analyse it to see how it behaves, which should improve their understanding of its potential and of the engineered living materials' resilience.

"Participating in Mission Possible is a unique opportunity for us to study the effects of microgravity and increased radiation levels caused by space conditions," Sandak was quoted as saying.