01
Pale oyster
A fast, forgiving strain used to study how threads cross wood.
Mycelium Works / Fungal research / Ghent
Slow things grow in the dark
A small lab that studies how fungal networks build themselves. The network behind this page grows one branch at a time as you scroll, then fruits.
Scroll to grow it
Step 01 / One thread
It starts with a single thread.
A spore lands on damp wood and sends out one fine thread. Nothing else is visible for days, and then the thread begins to fork.
Step 02 / Branching
Every fork is a small decision.
Each tip reads its surroundings and splits where food is richer. The result looks designed, but no part of it is in charge.
Step 03 / Fruiting
Then it surfaces.
When the network is large enough and the air is right, it pushes up fruiting bodies. The mushroom is the visible part of something much bigger underneath.
A whole network, measured in metres.
-Thread length
-Segments
-Growing tips
-Fruiting bodies
Cultures
Three strains we keep, study and share with other labs.
02
Rosy veil
Slow to start and dramatic once it does. Kept for comparison.
03
Amber weave
A dense, golden network that binds loose soil together.
Nine people and a lot of jars.
Mycologists, a microscopist and a technician who talks to the cultures. We publish our growth logs, including the failures.
D
Dr. Lien PeetersLab director
A
Arne De WildeMicroscopy
Z
Zoe MartensCulture keeper
Visit the growth room.
Ask for a tour, a strain, or just a look through the microscope.
Visit the labFictional brand. Projects, people and details are sample content.