Filamentous fungi offer unique potential as engineered living materials (ELMs), making self-assembly, adaptability, and sustainable biological manufacturing possible. However, this field lacks a systematic framework to classify fungal ELMs, as they vary in biological states (dead, dormant or alive), scaffold composition, and the degree of engineering intervention. Here, a classification system is introduced to categorize fungal ELMs, enabling researchers to map out existing research landscapes and guide future developments. The ability to form elastic three-dimensional networks makes filamentous fungi highly suitable for applications ranging from self-healing composites to biological remediation and real-time sensing materials, which has been verified in proof-of-concept applications. The book outlines the roadmap for the next generation of fungal ELMs, including temperature-controlled regulation of fungal states, multi-species integration to enhance complexity, and computational modeling for predictive design. Key challenges such as pollution control, cell survival rates, and biological digital integration are discussed alongside genetic engineering strategies. Finally, ethical and environmental considerations are emphasized as key factors for the responsible scaling up of fungal small rodents (ELMs). This research was published under the title "Gradients of Aliveness and Engineering: A Taxonomy of Fungal Engineered Living Materials" in Advanced Materials.
References: DOI: 10.1002/adma.202502728