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The use of experimentally evolved coral photosymbionts for reef restoration
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The use of experimentally evolved coral photosymbionts for reef restoration

Matthew R. Nitschke, David Abrego, Corinne E. Allen, Carlos Alvarez-Roa, Nadine M. Boulotte, Patrick Buerger, Wing Yan Chan, Wladimir A. Fae Neto, Elizabeth Ivory, Bede Johnston, …
Trends in microbiology, Vol.32(12), pp.1241-1252
12/2024
PMID: 38942718
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Abstract

adaptation biodiversity industry intervention microalgae selection stakeholder engagement
The heat tolerance of corals is largely determined by their microbial photosymbionts, and manipulating these symbiont communities may enhance the ability of corals to survive summer heatwaves.Experimental evolution of Symbiodiniaceae cultures under elevated temperatures has been successfully used to enhance the upper thermal tolerance of both symbiont cultures in vitro and corals following inoculation.Novel culturing, upscaling, and biodiversity monitoring techniques are required to deliver experimentally evolved coral symbionts at scale, and success requires learning from, or directly utilising, adjacent industries (e.g., biotechnology for algae-based commodities).This intervention has transitioned from stakeholder engagement to regulatory approval for risk assessments via small-scale field trials, which is an essential step on the path to implementation.

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