New research backed by NASA could transform how humans build on Mars. A team from Texas A&M University has developed a synthetic lichen system capable of forming building materials entirely autonomously, offering a potential breakthrough in extraterrestrial construction.

Led by Congrui Grace Jin, assistant professor in the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, the researchers engineered a community of synthetic lichens that mimic the natural symbiosis of multiple species. These synthetic organisms require no external nutrients and can survive on Martian regolith simulant, air, light, and an inorganic liquid medium.

“We can build a synthetic community by mimicking natural lichens,” Jin explained. “We’ve developed a way to build synthetic lichens to create biomaterials that glue Martian regolith particles into structures. Then, through 3D printing, a wide range of structures can be fabricated, such as buildings, houses and furniture.”

This bio-based method could dramatically reduce reliance on costly material shipments from Earth. NASA has long turned to private and academic research to overcome the hurdles of space construction, including transporting heavy materials and withstanding Mars’ harsh climate.

“The potential of this self-growing technology in enabling long-term extraterrestrial exploration and colonization is significant,” Jin added.

The team’s next phase focuses on using regolith-based bio-ink to 3D print structural components through direct ink writing, a key step toward sustainable off-world habitats.

The project was funded by the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program and was recently published in the Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering.

This innovation could lay the foundation for long-term lunar and Martian settlements by providing a scalable method for autonomous construction. By reducing the need for human labor and transported materials, it aligns with NASA’s Artemis and future Mars missions that emphasize sustainability and self-sufficiency.

The synthetic lichen approach joins a growing list of biomimetic technologies under exploration for space use, including mycelium-based building materials and algae-derived oxygen systems.

As research progresses, the team aims to refine the synthetic lichen’s resilience to Martian temperature swings and radiation exposure—two of the most severe environmental barriers to extraterrestrial life and construction.

With the ability to grow its own building blocks, space colonization may be closer than ever to moving from science fiction to science fact.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.