That fungus is called Cladosporium sphaerospermum, and some scientists think its dark pigment – melanin – may allow it to harness ionizing radiation through a process similar to the way plants harness light for photosynthesis. This proposed mechanism is even referred to as radiosynthesis.
And with a little CRISPR CAS-9, we can alter ourselves to become super-mutants or ghouls who can feed on ionizing radiation.
Then, finally, I’ll be ready for the postapocalyptic nuclear wasteland.
It’s unlikely that it provides anywhere near enough energy for animal life.
Not with that attitude.
I mean we’ll still need braiiiinnnss
So you’re saying we need to significantly pump up the amount of radiation all over the world?
Proposed.
I can’t find a single serious manuscript about radio synthesis.
These fungi have robust DNA repair which allows them to grow without competition from yeast or bacteria.
i mean, presumably the melanin just turns the radiation into heat? Which yeah is technically harnessing energy but it isn’t exactly creating ATP