Develop a solid state fermentation process for generating mycelium under controlled conditions in an indoor environment. This is currently a very active area in the broader industry as increasing applications are being developed for alternative protein from mycelium, and other material uses (such as alternative fabrics, myco-leather, packaging materials, etc).
The project would require the development of growth conditions and process for generating pure mycelium material (PMM), and/or composite mycelium material (CMM) grown on our selected substrates. To be done for at least 1 fungal species that we have already selected, and ideally 3 species in total if time permits. Overall intent it to develop a reproducible and robust methodology that can be used as a scalable application in the commercial solution we are developing. Please note there is 3rd party IP covering some of the processes for growing mycelium, so the intern needs to maintain awareness of the IP so they do not end up infringing it.
Associated activities could include:
- Participation in discussions with an IP attorney and a fungal biology postdoc to assess the freedom-to-operate for the company (since there is 3rd party IP)
- participation in strategy discussions with the company leadership around this subject
- getting involved in drafting the IP filing for the process if successfully developed.