Scientists developed a new method to genetically modify a fungus called Penicillium sclerotiorum by using protoplasts, which are fungal cells with their protective outer walls removed. They added a glowing green protein (GFP) to track the fungus and discovered that this modification changed how the fungus uses fats and lipids. When they treated tomato seeds with enzymes before exposing them to the modified fungus, it enhanced the fungus’s ability to colonize plant roots, potentially helping plants grow better.