Save the Corals with Cloning

Coral reefs are one of nature's most spectacular examples of biodiversity, largely due to the symbiotic relationship between algae and colonial polyps, the organisms that secrete the calcium carbonate shell that make up the coral reef. This relationship, however, can break down in times of environmental stress, such as increased sea temperatures. This stress can result in a condition known as coral bleaching, where the algae is expelled from the coral, causing great harm and even death to the entire reef ecosystem. In order to better understand the symbiotic relationship between corals and algae, researchers in the Pringle Lab clone genes within sea anemones--a close relative to corals-- to identify which genes are involved in symbiosis. This ETP involves students in a simulation of investigating coral bleaching by determining the specific functions of proteins by cloning genes within sea anemones--a close relative of corals--to find out which proteins are involved in symbiosis. Once these proteins are known, scientist can begin to study and manipulate these genes to prevent and/or treat the breakdown of these valuable ecosystems.