Laboratory Methods for Mycelium Research
Core sterile technique, culture maintenance and reproducible growth protocols that underpin every experiment in fungal technology.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Laboratory Methods for Mycelium Research
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Computing, Bioelectronics & Space Mycology. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This course teaches the laboratory foundations that every serious piece of fungal research depends on. You will learn how to set up a mycology workspace, work aseptically, prepare media, isolate and purify cultures, store strains for the long term, and measure growth through radial extension, biomass and imaging. A full module is dedicated to documentation, so that your protocols can be repeated by someone else.
As interest in mycelium materials, fungal electronics and biomanufacturing grows, many promising results fail to replicate because of contamination, undocumented strains or inconsistent conditions. Solid technique is the cheapest way to make your work credible. The course suits researchers, makers moving from a home setup into a more formal lab, and technicians who want structured training. For the final project you write and test a complete, reproducible protocol for maintaining and measuring one fungal culture, including a contamination log and the records needed for another lab to repeat your results.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal computing, useful in areas such as Academic and applied research, Mycelium materials and biomanufacturing, Mushroom spawn and cultivation, Community biology labs.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Core sterile technique, culture maintenance and reproducible growth protocols that underpin every experiment in fungal technology.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Setting up a mycology workspace; Sterile technique and contamination control.
- Put them into practice: Media preparation and culture isolation; Strain storage and culture collections.
- Apply everything to a real case: Measuring growth: rates, biomass and imaging; Documentation and reproducible protocols.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your professor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Set up and zone a functional mycology workspace.
- Perform sterile transfers with consistently low contamination rates.
- Prepare common media and isolate pure fungal cultures.
- Measure fungal growth using rates, biomass and image analysis.
- Write protocols that another laboratory can reproduce.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Researchers, makers and lab technicians.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior laboratory experience is required; access to a clean workspace and basic equipment for home practice is recommended.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Laboratory technician in a fungal research group
- Culture manager at a mycelium materials company
- Research assistant in applied mycology
- Quality control assistant in mushroom spawn production
- Community lab or makerspace coordinator
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Setting up a mycology workspace | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Sterile technique and contamination control | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Media preparation and culture isolation | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Strain storage and culture collections | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Measuring growth: rates, biomass and imaging | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Documentation and reproducible protocols | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Choosing and zoning a workspace
- Essential equipment on a budget
- Flow hoods, still-air boxes and alternatives
- Aseptic workflow step by step
- Sources and signs of contamination
- Disinfection and sterilisation methods
- Common agar and liquid media
- Isolating from tissue and spores
- Purifying and subculturing isolates
- Short-term storage on slants
- Cryopreservation and long-term methods
- Labelling and strain records
- Radial growth and extension rates
- Dry biomass and yield measurements
- Imaging colonies with low-cost tools
- Lab notebooks and metadata
- Writing a standard operating protocol
- Sharing protocols openly
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A complete, tested protocol for maintaining and measuring one fungal culture, with contamination log and metadata.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your professor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, practical exercises documented at the end of each module and a final project reviewed by the professor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your professor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
The Fungal Computing at Fungaris coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The professor of each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Laboratory Methods for Mycelium Research?
No prior laboratory experience is required; access to a clean workspace and basic equipment for home practice is recommended.
How is Laboratory Methods for Mycelium Research taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, practical exercises documented at the end of each module and a final project reviewed by the professor.
What is the final project?
A complete, tested protocol for maintaining and measuring one fungal culture, with contamination log and metadata.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.
What can I study after Laboratory Methods for Mycelium Research?
The natural next step is Diploma in Fungal Electrophysiology and Bioelectronics.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).