Russian Scientists Use AI to Preserve Rare Fungi
Researchers in Kaluga are building a “Noah’s Ark” of endangered plants and fungi, using artificial intelligence to safeguard biodiversity for future generations.
At Kaluga State University named after Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, scientists have completed a crucial stage of the unique project “Kaluga Ark.” With the help of artificial intelligence, they successfully adapted nutrient media compositions for microclonal propagation of fungal mycelium.
The project, initiated by the university’s botanical garden and the Ugra National Park, aims to create a living collection of rare and endangered plant and fungal species under laboratory conditions. This collection is envisioned as a kind of “Noah’s Ark,” ensuring the preservation of genetic diversity.
According to Evgeny Konstantinov, head of the university’s botanical garden, the key advantage of the technology is its ability to work with minuscule amounts of source material—an essential factor for protected species. The use of AI to optimize nutrient media speeds up and reduces the cost of the process, pushing Russian biotechnology to a new level.
Future stages of the “Kaluga Ark” include collecting samples in Ugra National Park, propagating them under sterile conditions, and eventually reintroducing them into their natural habitats.
