Researchers discovered that a naturally derived compound from bamboo boosts the production of hypocrellin A, a promising cancer-fighting and antimicrobial agent made by a special fungus. By studying a key enzyme called G6PDH, they found that it acts as a molecular switch controlling hypocrellin production when the fungus senses bamboo components. This discovery enables cost-effective large-scale production of this powerful medicine through simple fermentation, potentially making novel cancer treatments and antibiotics more accessible.