The 79th Organ: When Art and Biology Meet Bioengineering in the Fight Against Microplastics

  1. A New Organ Was Discovered in the Human Body: J. Calvin Coffey, et al., The Lancet
  2. Structure and Distribution of an Unrecognized Interstitium: Neil Theise, et al., Scientific Reports
  3. Advanced mycelium materials as potential biomedical scaffolds: Antinori, et al., Nature Scientific Reports
  4. Microplastics and our health research findings: Stanford Medicine, et al., Medical Insights
  5. Linking Metabolic Activity of Plastic-Degrading Fungi: Research Team, et al., Nature Communications
  6. Elora Therapeutics enzyme therapeutic development: Austin Technology Incubator, et al., Company Profile

Revolutionary fungal biotechnology offers hope for addressing humanity’s plastic pollution crisis through innovative prosthetic organ design

The human body, once thought to contain a fixed number of organs, continues to surprise us. Recent decades have witnessed remarkable discoveries challenging our understanding of anatomy, from the mesentery’s reclassification as our 78th organ in 2017 to the identification of the interstitium as a potential new organ system in 2018. Most recently, scientists discovered the tubarial salivary glands in 2020, marking the first new organ discovery in nearly 300 years. Yet perhaps the most intriguing development lies not in what we’ve found, but in what we might create: a speculative “79th organ” designed to address one of humanity’s most pressing environmental challenges.

The concept emerges from designer Odette Dierkx’s visionary work combining fungal biotechnology with prosthetic organ design. This biomimetic device utilizes bioengineered fungi, specifically Pleurotus ostreatus, to create a living filtration system capable of extracting and degrading microplastics from the human bloodstream. The core structure incorporates fungal mycelium that releases specialized enzymes through bioremediation processes, transforming harmful plastic fragments into harmless components that the body can safely eliminate.

Microplastics represent an unprecedented biological challenge, with humans now ingesting approximately one credit card’s worth of plastic particles weekly. These synthetic pollutants infiltrate every organ system, from brain tissue to reproductive organs, triggering chronic inflammation, endocrine disruption, and metabolic dysfunction. Studies reveal microplastics accumulate in arterial plaques, with patients showing these contaminants facing 4.5-fold higher risks of cardiovascular events. The pervasive nature of this contamination, with annual releases of 10-40 million metric tons expected to double by 2040, necessitates innovative therapeutic interventions.

Fungal biotechnology offers remarkable potential for addressing plastic pollution through natural degradation mechanisms. Research demonstrates that fungi possess extraordinary capabilities for polymer breakdown, with species like Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum producing enzymes including cutinase, laccase, and PETase. These organisms evolved sophisticated enzymatic machinery originally designed for lignocellulose degradation but have adapted to process synthetic polymers. The mycelium’s three-dimensional fibrous networks naturally mimic human extracellular matrix structures, making them ideal candidates for biomedical scaffolds.

The therapeutic applications extend beyond speculation. Mycelium-based biomaterials demonstrate exceptional biocompatibility when tested with primary human fibroblasts, showing excellent cell viability and morphology comparable to control samples. These natural scaffolds require only simple sterilization through autoclaving, eliminating the need for toxic solvents or complex fabrication processes typical of synthetic materials. The intrinsic properties of fungal networks—including natural porosity, biodegradability, and bioactive compounds like β-glucans—position them as superior alternatives to conventional medical devices.

Companies like Elora Therapeutics are pioneering this intersection of environmental remediation and human health. Founded in 2025 and embedded within Austin Technology Incubator, Elora is developing the first systemically delivered enzyme therapeutic specifically designed to degrade and remove microplastics from the human body. Their approach targets synthetic polymers that accumulate in blood and tissues—compounds our biology cannot naturally eliminate—addressing three critical indications: chronic inflammation, metabolic disease, and hormone disruption.

The convergence of synthetic biology and bioengineering is accelerating organ-scale tissue manufacturing capabilities. Recent advances in computational vascular design enable the creation of perfusable networks spanning entire organs, with synthetic biology tools allowing precise cellular programming. These developments suggest that complex bioartificial organs incorporating living fungal components could become feasible within decades, potentially revolutionizing how we address environmental toxin exposure.

Key Concept Description Key References
The 79th Organ Speculative bioengineered organ using fungi to filter microplastics from bloodstream through enzymatic degradation Dierkx Design Study
Microplastic Bioaccumulation Synthetic polymer particles accumulate in human organs causing inflammation, endocrine disruption, and metabolic dysfunction Stanford Medical Research
Fungal Enzyme Systems Naturally occurring enzymes like cutinase, laccase, and PETase capable of degrading synthetic polymers through bioremediation Nature Polymer Degradation
Mycelium Scaffolds Three-dimensional fibrous networks that mimic human extracellular matrix providing biocompatible tissue engineering platforms Advanced Mycelium Materials
Bioartificial Organs Combination of biomaterials and living cells creating functional organ replacements with enhanced capabilities Bioartificial Manufacturing
Elora Therapeutics First company developing systemic enzyme therapy for microplastic removal targeting endocrine and metabolic disorders Company Innovation Profile