Investigating Coral Symbiotes
Collaborating in a Pingry team research project investigating coral symbioses, focusing on the relationship between corals and their symbiotic algae, zooxanthellae. Designed and currently implementing methods to analyze horizontal symbiont transfer, using 18s rRNA primers and DNA sequencing techniques to identify specific algae strains. We are conducting experiments in a controlled tank environment to maintain optimal growth conditions for corals, including water salinity, pH, and flow rate management. The project aims to establish a baseline of zooxanthellae populations and evaluate environmental stress impacts on coral health. Continue to strengthen and enhance skills in experimental design, molecular biology techniques, and scientific communication through detailed documentation and presentation of findings.
The Ocean Agency, https://www.theoceanagency.org/ocean-image-bank/before-and-after Zooxanthellae.” Coraldigest, http://coraldigest.org/index.php/Zooxanthellae.
Context and Research Objectives
Coral reefs are vital ecosystems supporting over 25% of marine biodiversity and are threatened by rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and habitat destruction. Coral bleaching, a process in which corals expel their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) due to stress, leads to loss of nutrients and energy, making corals more susceptible to disease and mortality.
Our team is investigating the dynamics of coral-algae symbiosis, focusing on the horizontal transfer of zooxanthellae. We aim to understand how newly settled corals acquire symbionts from the environment. The study goal is to establish baseline population data of zooxanthellae and measure their stability under controlled conditions. By correlating environmental stress factors with changes in symbiont populations, our research will contribute to understanding mechanisms that could mitigate bleaching events and promote coral resilience.
The work highlights potential pathways to support coral reef conservation in the face of climate change.
Technical Details
Samples are being processed using the 18s rRNA primer to identify and sequence the DNA of specific algal strains. We aim to utilize a salting-out method for DNA precipitation and dinoflagellate-specific primers to isolate and identify symbiont species.
Experiments are being conducted in a controlled tank environment with stringent parameters for water salinity (35 ppt), pH (8.2), and light wavelengths to simulate ideal growth conditions. We are maintaining a low-flow tank system to replicate natural coral habitats while analyzing the impact of flow rate on horizontal transfer.
Findings
We were successfully able to validate our DNA extraction and sequencing protocol using Gymnodinium and Pyrocystis, two bioluminescent dinoflagellates. We started with a 2 mL growth solution, used centrifugation to separate the pellet and supernatant, and performed cell lysis followed by DNA extraction after incubation. The results showed a DNA concentration of 8.3 ng/μL and a 260/280 purity ratio of 1.86, indicating reasonably clean DNA suitable for sequencing. To make this even cleaner, we began incorporating a 70% ethanol wash step to remove any additional residues and repeating the experiment to confirm consistency. This major preliminary success confirms that this method is effective
Future Efforts
Now that the previously tested DNA extraction and sequencing method has proven effective with model dinoflagellates, we are prepared to move forward with our future plans. In the short term, we will need to continue maintaining cleanliness, but also begin to build a library of DNA extractions to identify the specific zooxanthellae present. This will allow us to begin an initial study on the horizontal transfer of zooxanthellae, which is at the heart of this project. This will allow us to see how corals acquire symbionts from their environment, pinpointing how to combat the problem raised due to climate change. As we move forward, we will be stimulating various climate stressors to better understand coral resilience, allowing us to see the capabilities of coral adaptation.
References
- “Timothy Swain, Luisa Marcelino, Et Al. Published In European Journal Of Psychology”. Northwestern Engineering, 2018.
- Ferrara, G. B., Murgia, B., Parodi, A. M., Valisano, L., Cerrano, C., Palmisano, G., … & Sara, M. (2006). The assessment of DNA from marine organisms via a modified salting-out protocol. Cellular & molecular biology letters, 11, 155-160.
- Lin, S., Zhang, H., Hou, Y., Miranda, L., & Bhattacharya, D. (2006). Development of a dinoflagellate-oriented PCR primer set leads to detection of picoplanktonic dinoflagellates from Long Island Sound. Applied and environmental microbiology, 72(8), 5626-5630.
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