Researchers led by Ning Liu at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have proposed an engineered living building material for future Mars construction. The bio-composite combines local Martian sand, gelatin, and genetically modified baker’s yeast. The yeast produces mussel-foot proteins that anchor it to aggregate grains, while a SpyTag/SpyCatcher system creates strong bonds. Anti-freeze proteins help the mixture cure through freeze-drying in Mars-like conditions instead of being destroyed by ice formation.
Prototype tests reached about 12 MPa in compressive strength and 6 MPa in flexural strength. The approach used almost two orders of magnitude less energy than sintering regolith and samples retained their integrity through four recycling cycles. Major uncertainties remain: Martian perchlorates, ultraviolet radiation, the material’s porosity, and the need to ship gelatin from Earth. It is a laboratory concept, not yet a tested habitat solution.
https://www.universetoday.com/articles/genetically-engineered-yeast-could-build-the-first-martian-outposts
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2026-09-17 12:55:26 UTC
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"content": "Researchers led by Ning Liu at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have proposed an engineered living building material for future Mars construction. The bio-composite combines local Martian sand, gelatin, and genetically modified baker’s yeast. The yeast produces mussel-foot proteins that anchor it to aggregate grains, while a SpyTag/SpyCatcher system creates strong bonds. Anti-freeze proteins help the mixture cure through freeze-drying in Mars-like conditions instead of being destroyed by ice formation.\n\nPrototype tests reached about 12 MPa in compressive strength and 6 MPa in flexural strength. The approach used almost two orders of magnitude less energy than sintering regolith and samples retained their integrity through four recycling cycles. Major uncertainties remain: Martian perchlorates, ultraviolet radiation, the material’s porosity, and the need to ship gelatin from Earth. It is a laboratory concept, not yet a tested habitat solution.\n\nhttps://www.universetoday.com/articles/genetically-engineered-yeast-could-build-the-first-martian-outposts",
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