Researchers found that a protein called Phs1, which helps Cryptococcus neoformans (a dangerous fungus) produce essential fatty acids, is important for the fungus to cause disease. When this protein was removed, the fungus produced less melanin (a pigment), couldn’t grow well at body temperature, and had a weaker cell wall. Most importantly, the fungus produced less energy (ATP) and was much less deadly in infected mice, suggesting that blocking Phs1 could potentially be a new way to treat cryptococcal infections.