Living Bioelectronics: Interfacing Electronics with Fungi
Explores early research on hybrid devices that combine living mycelium with electronic circuits, substrates and control systems.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Living Bioelectronics: Interfacing Electronics with Fungi
- 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 explores living bioelectronics, an early research frontier focused on hybrid devices that combine living mycelium with electronic circuits. You will study the principles of bioelectronic interfaces, the practical challenge of keeping mycelium alive inside a device, and the use of mycelium as a substrate for flexible electronics. Later modules cover bidirectional interfaces for stimulation and readout, biohybrid control loops and the reliability and ethical questions the field still has to answer.
Only a handful of research groups have built fungal-electronic hybrids, and most devices remain proofs of concept with short lifetimes. The course presents this landscape honestly and focuses on the engineering knowledge needed to move it forward. It suits electronics engineers and bioengineers interested in biology-integrated hardware. In the final project you write a technical concept paper for a fungal bioelectronic device, covering its architecture, how the mycelium is kept viable, the interface design, expected failure modes and a staged test plan.
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 bioelectronics R&D, flexible and sustainable electronics, academic research, robotics and interaction design.
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:
Explores early research on hybrid devices that combine living mycelium with electronic circuits, substrates and control systems.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Principles of bioelectronic interfaces; Keeping mycelium alive in a device.
- Put them into practice: Mycelium as substrate for flexible electronics; Bidirectional interfaces: stimulation and readout.
- Apply everything to a real case: Biohybrid control loops; Reliability, ethics and research gaps.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain how electrodes interface with living fungal tissue.
- Design enclosures that keep mycelium viable inside a device.
- Assess mycelium as a substrate for flexible or biodegradable electronics.
- Outline a bidirectional stimulation and readout interface.
- Identify reliability and ethical issues in living devices.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Electronics engineers and bioengineers.
4.2Entry requirements
A background in electronics or bioengineering is recommended; no prior mycology is required.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research assistant in bioelectronics
- Hardware engineer on biohybrid projects
- R&D engineer exploring biodegradable electronics
- Doctoral candidate in biology-integrated hardware
- Technical science communicator
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Principles of bioelectronic interfaces | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Keeping mycelium alive in a device | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Mycelium as substrate for flexible electronics | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Bidirectional interfaces: stimulation and readout | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Biohybrid control loops | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Reliability, ethics and research gaps | 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.
- Electrode–tissue interfaces
- Ionic and electronic conduction
- Lessons from neural interfaces
- Humidity and nutrient supply
- Enclosures and gas exchange
- Contamination inside devices
- Mycelium skins as flexible substrates
- Printing and patterning conductors
- Biodegradable electronics
- Electrical stimulation of mycelium
- Recording responses in devices
- Closing the stimulation–readout loop
- Feedback control basics
- Biohybrid controller examples
- Latency and stability
- Lifetime and failure modes
- Ethical questions about living devices
- Mapping research gaps
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 technical concept paper for a fungal bioelectronic device with architecture, viability plan, failure modes and test plan.
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 tutor 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, design exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
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 tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Fungal Computing school 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 tutor for 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. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in 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 Living Bioelectronics: Interfacing Electronics with Fungi?
A background in electronics or bioengineering is recommended; no prior mycology is required.
How is Living Bioelectronics: Interfacing Electronics with Fungi 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, design exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A technical concept paper for a fungal bioelectronic device with architecture, viability plan, failure modes and test plan.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Living Bioelectronics: Interfacing Electronics with Fungi?
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).