Scientists used a technique called adaptive laboratory evolution to make a fungus called Blakeslea trispora produce much more beta-carotene, a natural compound that converts to vitamin A in the body and has health benefits. By gradually exposing the fungus to increasing levels of a chemical stressor over 16 months, they helped it evolve to produce 45% more beta-carotene. The adapted fungus showed changes in its genes, physical structure, and fat composition that helped it thrive under stress while making more of this valuable compound.