In the latest episode of the Circular Bioengineering Lab Talks, we step inside the laboratory where Dr. Mitchell Jones works. He is a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Prof. Alexander Bismarck at the University of Vienna, and explores how fungi could help transform waste into valuable materials.
The Lab Talks series offers a short, behind-the-scenes look at research happening within the Cluster of Excellence in Circular Bioengineering. Filmed directly in the lab, each episode introduces the people behind the science and explains complex research topics in a way that is accessible to a broad audience.
From Waste to Resource: The Idea of a Fungal Biorefinery
At the heart of Dr. Jones’ work is the concept of a fungal biorefinery, a system where fungi are used to convert waste into useful products. Much like traditional oil refineries process crude oil into fuels and chemicals, a biorefinery processes renewable biological materials.
Fungi are particularly powerful for this purpose. Their natural ability to break down complex organic matter makes them ideal partners in circular bioengineering. By feeding fungi agricultural residues or other biomass, researchers can guide them to produce valuable compounds or materials.
This approach is part of a broader shift toward circular systems, where resources are reused, regenerated, and kept in productive cycles instead of being discarded.
Circular Bioengineering in Action
Circular bioengineering aims to redesign biological processes so that materials and energy flow in sustainable loops. Instead of relying on fossil resources or producing large amounts of waste, scientists look for ways to use biology to create renewable alternatives.
In the lab, this means combining knowledge from biotechnology, materials science, and engineering. Researchers like Dr. Jones study how fungi grow, how they transform biomass, and how their biological processes can be optimized for industrial or environmental applications.
The People Behind the Science
Beyond the experiments and equipment, the series emphasizes the human side of research. Early-career scientists share what motivates them, what excites them about discovery, and what life looks like outside the lab.
For students and young people considering careers in science, these conversations offer a glimpse into the real experience of working in research: curiosity, collaboration, and the opportunity to help shape more sustainable technologies.
To hear directly from Dr. Mitchell Jones and see the fungal biorefinery research in action, watch the full Lab Talk episode below: