Engineers have developed a low-energy concrete alternative made from genetically engineered yeast and pork gelatin, paving the way for future Martian habitats. Researchers at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University successfully 3D-printed tiny structural domes using simulated Mars regolith, bypassing the need for heat-intensive processing.
Building a home on the Red Planet presents a severe logistical challenge. Transporting traditional construction materials from Earth is wildly expensive, and melting Martian dirt into solid rock demands immense amounts of energy and heavy equipment. To solve this problem, a team of researchers turned to an unexpected pantry staple.
Instead of relying on Portland cement or high-heat baking methods, engineers mixed simulated Mars dirt with an artificial gelatin hydrosol and bioengineered yeast. The resulting mixture can be extruded through a standard 3D-printing nozzle to form structures that freeze-dry when exposed to the harsh Martian atmosphere, according to research published by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
The Yeast and Gelatin Recipe for Martian Construction
The biological binder relies on a modified strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
combined with pork gelatin—the exact protein used to make gelatin desserts. Environmental engineer Ning Liu and colleagues at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology modified the yeast in two distinct ways to turn it into an effective adhesive. One genetic tweak causes the yeast cells to bind tightly to one another, while another introduces mussel foot proteins,
which mimic the powerful biological adhesives that mussels use to anchor themselves to ocean rocks.
When this yeasty slurry is mixed with crushed rock and extruded, it undergoes a unique curing process in cold, low-pressure conditions designed to simulate the Martian surface. Researchers built tiny beehive-shaped domes measuring just 45 millimeters, or roughly 1.77 inches tall, in laboratory tests.
My inspiration came from freeze-dried fruits that become harder.
Jishen Qiu, associate professor at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, via Cell Press
As the mixture cures over roughly 48 hours at temperatures plunging to -67 degrees Fahrenheit (-55 degrees Celsius) under near-vacuum conditions, the water inside freezes and then sublimates straight into vapor. This leaves behind a rigid scaffolding where the engineered proteins anchor the gelatin binder to the rocky aggregate. According to the research team, this process creates a bond that is stronger than the bulk material.
Compressive Strength and Structural Performance
The tiny experimental domes proved surprisingly durable. Laboratory testing showed that the hardened material achieved mean compressive and flexural strengths of approximately 12 and 6 megapascals, respectively. That performance roughly matches the strength of low-grade concrete used on Earth.
Because Mars possesses only about one-third of Earth’s gravity, researchers point out that the material’s structural capacity far exceeds what would be strictly required to support a modest building on the Red Planet.
This is actually strong enough to build a one- or two-story building on Earth, whose gravity is three times that of Mars.
Jishen Qiu, senior author and associate professor
Beyond structural integrity, the method offers a massive energy savings. The energy required to produce the yeast-based foam is one to two orders of magnitude lower than conventional techniques that use intense heat to melt regolith into solid bricks.
Overcoming Hurdles Before Humanity Reaches Mars
Despite the promising laboratory results, transforming a yeast-and-jelly mixture into a functional extraterrestrial home requires clearing substantial technical hurdles. The current material is best regarded as a printable and recyclable in situ structural component,
according to the study authors, who stress that it functions not as a complete airtight, pressure-retaining, or radiation-shielding habitat envelope by itself.
A fully functioning Martian base must integrate thermal regulation, gas tightness, dust protection, and heavy radiation shielding. Consequently, future settlements will likely rely on hybrid architectures that combine the yeast foam with inflatable pressure modules and water-filled protective layers.
Scientists also face the daunting task of ensuring that Earth microbes can survive the extreme cold and radiation of the Martian surface without creating an accidental biological contamination risk for the planet. For now, researchers remain optimistic about scaling up the platform, noting that further genetic engineering could enhance its resistance to vacuum and radiation stress.
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