This research identified the most reliable genes to use as reference points when studying how the medicinal fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis develops and responds to light. This is important because having stable reference points allows scientists to accurately measure how other genes behave during fungal growth and development. Impact on everyday life: – Helps improve cultivation methods for this valuable medicinal fungus – Advances our understanding of how fungi develop and respond to environmental conditions – Contributes to more efficient production of traditional Chinese medicine – Enables better quality control in medicinal fungal products