This research discovered that exposing oyster mushroom tissue to blue light triggers the production of shikimic acid, an important compound used to make the flu medication Tamiflu. The findings could lead to a more efficient and sustainable way to produce this vital medicine. Impact on everyday life: • Could help ensure a stable supply of flu medication • Demonstrates potential for using light to control valuable compound production in fungi • Offers a more environmentally friendly way to produce pharmaceutical ingredients • Could reduce the cost of producing certain medicines • Shows promise for developing new biotechnology applications using mushrooms