Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Philipp A. Voss, Sebastian G. Gornik, Marie R. Jacobovitz, Sebastian Rupp, Melanie Doerr, Ira Maegele, Annika Guse
Summary: The mTOR signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in integrating symbiont-derived nutrients into host metabolism and symbiosis stability, allowing symbiotic cnidarians to thrive in challenging environments.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ankita Nand, Ye Zhan, Octavio R. Salazar, Manuel Aranda, Christian R. Voolstra, Job Dekker
Summary: Genome assembly of the coral endosymbiont Symbiodinium microadriaticum reveals a unique organization with genes arranged in alternating unidirectional blocks enriched at chromosome ends; chromosomes consist of structural domains separated by boundaries that disappear when transcription is blocked. This unique spatial organization indicates correlations between gene orientation, transcription, and chromosome folding.
Article
Ecology
Mary Alice Coffroth, Noel J. Leigh, Shelby E. McIlroy, Margaret W. Miller, H. David Sheets
Summary: The symbiotic relationship between dinoflagellate algae and scleractinian corals is crucial for tropical reef ecosystems. The acquisition of symbionts by coral recruits can occur vertically from the maternal colony or horizontally from the environment. Coral species and colonies only harbor a subset of the highly diverse Symbiodiniaceae. The study examined the genetic and environmental factors influencing the acquisition of symbionts in young Orbicella faveolata recruits. The results indicate that both genetic and environmental factors play a role in determining the symbionts acquired by the coral recruits.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatyana Sikorskaya, Ekaterina Ermolenko, Andrey Boroda, Taliya T. Ginanova
Summary: Research has found that during coral bleaching, the host tissues lost a significant part of symbiotic dinoflagellates, possibly through exocytosis. Symbiophagosomes with degenerative dinoflagellates were observed in the early stages of bleaching. At the end of bleaching, the appearance of oxidized phosphatidylethanolamines, indicating damage to the host membranes, and the degradation of the coral tissues were simultaneously observed.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jack Chi-Ho Ip, Yanjie Zhang, James Y. Xie, Yip Hung Yeung, Jian-Wen Qiu
Summary: This study compares the responses of two coral species during the El Niño heat wave, finding differences in the changes in zooxanthellae density and chlorophyll a content. Transcriptome analysis reveals common metabolic and amino acid catabolism responses in heat-stressed corals, but only one species develops the bleached phenotype.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Evelyn Abbott, Groves Dixon, Mikhail Matz
Summary: The study found that changes in the abundance of different symbiont genera within coral hosts can affect the gene expression of symbionts, particularly impacting expression of photosynthesis components and proteins related to cell movement. When both genera are represented in comparable proportions within the host, the mixed symbiosis state may lead to more intense competition but does not result in increased stress for the host. After heat treatment, corals with mixed symbiosis showed the lowest stress signatures compared to corals dominated by either Cladocopium or Durusdinium.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Andrew Currin, Steven Parker, Christopher J. Robinson, Eriko Takano, Nigel S. Scrutton, Rainer Breitling
Summary: The ability to engineer biological systems is crucial in biotechnology and synthetic biology. Generating genetic diversity is essential to explore variations in phenotype, and recent advancements in DNA synthesis technology have enhanced our ability to create variant libraries. This review focuses on approaches to create diversity from enzyme level to entire pathways in vitro, emphasizing the creation of combinatorial libraries for significant improvements in function.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Georgi K. Marinov, Alexandro E. Trevino, Tingting Xiang, Anshul Kundaje, Arthur R. Grossman, William J. Greenleaf
Summary: Dinoflagellate chromosomes represent a unique evolutionary experiment, existing in a permanently condensed state without histone packaging and minimal transcriptional regulation. Analysis of the three-dimensional genome of Breviolum minutum reveals large topological domains (dinoTADs) demarcated by convergent gene array boundaries, with disruption caused by transcriptional inhibition.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bianca Thobor, Arjen Tilstra, David G. Bourne, Karin Springer, Selma Deborah Mezger, Ulrich Struck, Franziska Bockelmann, Lisa Zimmermann, Ana Belen Yanez Suarez, Annabell Klinke, Christian Wild
Summary: Nitrate eutrophication negatively affects the ecophysiological response of the pulsating soft coral Xenia umbellata, increasing chlorophyll a content but reducing gross photosynthesis. Additionally, high nitrate eutrophication leads to a decrease in polyp pulsation rate, an increase in polyp loss, and higher fragment mortality. Warming alone does not have an impact on the investigated response parameters.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Qingsong Yang, Ying Zhang, Manzoor Ahmad, Juan Ling, Weiguo Zhou, Yanying Zhang, Junde Dong
Summary: The study revealed significant changes in the coral microbial community during a natural bleaching event in the South China Sea, highlighting potential roles of specific bacterial groups in association with the symbiotic algae Symbiodinium during coral bleaching process and supporting the beneficial microorganisms theory for corals.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Andrey B. Imbs, Valery M. Dembitsky
Summary: This paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the diverse world of coral-derived lipids, highlighting their potential applications in pharmacology and medicine. It also examines the impact of the symbiotic relationship between corals and dinoflagellates on lipid profiles.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Franz Opel, Nina A. Siebert, Sabine Klatt, Adrian Tuellinghoff, Janis G. Hantke, Joerg Toepel, Bruno Buehler, Dennis J. Nuernberg, Stephan Klaehn
Summary: Cyanobacteria have attracted great interest in biotechnology for their potential in sustainable, photosynthesis-driven production of fuels and value-added chemicals. However, compared to heterotrophic microorganisms, cyanobacterial model strains still lag behind in terms of molecular tools for engineering their metabolism. Researchers have developed a new tool called the pSOMA shuttle vector series for comprehensive genetic engineering of cyanobacteria and demonstrated its potential in gene expression and transfer.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephane Martinez, Renaud Grover, Christine Ferrier-Pages
Summary: This study investigated the nutrient exchange between coral and symbionts, and found that symbiont starvation is a major cause of symbiotic breakdown leading to coral bleaching. The findings indicate that coral species differ in their ability to supply nutrients to symbionts in the dark, resulting in varying degrees of bleaching.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Michael B. Sheets, Joshua T. Atkinson, Mark P. Styczynski, Emily R. Aurand
Summary: As engineering biology continues to have increasing impacts, it is crucial to introduce the field early on in an accessible manner. However, teaching engineering biology faces challenges such as limited representation in widely used scientific textbooks or curricula, as well as its interdisciplinary nature. To address this, we have developed an adaptable curriculum module that provides a versatile slide deck designed by engineering biology experts to cover the fundamental principles and applications of the field. Free and accessible through a public website, this module can be used independently or integrated into existing curricula, aiming to enhance the ease of teaching current engineering biology topics and promote public engagement with the field.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Justin Maire, Sam K. Girvan, Sophie E. Barkla, Alexis Perez-Gonzalez, David J. Suggett, Linda L. Blackall, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
Summary: This study examines the interactions between Symbiodiniaceae and bacteria, revealing the presence of bacteria inside Symbiodiniaceae cells as well as closely associated with their external cell surface. Different species of Symbiodiniaceae harbor distinct and highly diverse bacterial communities, which might be involved in the physiology of Symbiodiniaceae.
Article
Microbiology
Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Jean-Baptiste Raina
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christian R. Voolstra, Raquel S. Peixoto, Christine Ferrier-Pages
Summary: Global warming is causing significant damage to coral reefs. Urgent actions must be taken to mitigate and restore in order to prevent their complete extinction.
Article
Plant Sciences
Caleb C. Butler, Kira E. Turnham, Allison M. Lewis, Matthew R. Nitschke, Mark E. Warner, Dustin W. Kemp, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, William K. Fitt, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Todd C. LaJeunesse
Summary: This study identified five new species in the genus Cladocopium, which are widespread and have diverse hosts. These findings are important for understanding ecological research, genetic research, and conservation efforts in the face of environmental changes.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Limnology
Nicolas. R. R. Evensen, Katherine. E. E. Parker, Thomas. A. A. Oliver, Stephen. R. R. Palumbi, Cheryl. A. A. Logan, James. S. S. Ryan, Courtney. N. N. Klepac, Gabriela Perna, Mark. E. E. Warner, Christian. R. R. Voolstra, Daniel. J. J. Barshis
Summary: Ocean warming is causing increasing harm to marine ecosystems worldwide, particularly affecting reef-building corals through more frequent and severe mass bleaching events. The ability of corals to resist or recover from bleaching varies, and understanding this thermal resilience is crucial for the persistence of coral reefs. However, there is a lack of standardized diagnostic approaches to assess coral thermal vulnerability before bleaching events. The Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS) is a cost-effective and portable experimental system that can rapidly assess coral thermal thresholds using standardized temperature stress profiles and diagnostics.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY-METHODS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carol Buitrago-Lopez, Anny Cardenas, Benjamin C. C. Hume, Thierry Gosselin, Fabian Staubach, Manuel Aranda, Daniel J. Barshis, Yvonne Sawall, Christian R. Voolstra
Summary: Global habitat degradation has increased the need to study genetic connectivity and diversity of marine biota in order to guide conservation efforts. This study examined the population structure and holobiont assemblage of two common pocilloporid corals across the Red Sea. The results showed evidence for limited population differentiation in P. verrucosa, but complex population structure and genetic differentiation in S. pistillata, along with differences in reproductive mode and genetic adaptation at various sites. The study highlights the importance of multispecies investigations and networks of reef reserves in conserving genetic variants critical to the future survival of coral ecosystems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eric J. Armstrong, Julie Le-Hoang, Quentin Carradec, Jean-Marc Aury, Benjamin Noel, Benjamin C. C. Hume, Christian R. Voolstra, Julie Poulain, Caroline Belser, David A. Paz-Garcia, Corinne Cruaud, Karine Labadie, Corinne Da Silva, Cle'mentine Moulin, Emilie Boissin, Guillaume Bourdin, Guillaume Iwankow, Sarah Romac, Sylvain Agostini, Bernard Banaigs, Emmanuel Boss, Chris Bowler, Colomban de Vargas, Eric Douville, Michel Flores, Didier Forcioli, Paola Furla, Pierre E. Galand, Eric Gilson, Fabien Lombard, Stephane Pesant, Stephanie Reynaud, Matthew B. Sullivan, Shinichi Sunagawa, Olivier P. Thomas, Romain Trouble, Rebecca Vega Thurber, Didier Zoccola, Serge Planes, Denis Allemand, Patrick Wincker
Summary: Heat waves are causing declines in coral reefs globally. Coral thermal responses depend on multiple, interacting drivers, such as past thermal exposure, endosymbiont community composition, and host genotype. This study used DNA and RNA analysis to investigate gene expression patterns in Pocillopora corals across a historical thermal gradient, revealing the importance of host-photosymbiont specificity and host transcriptomic plasticity in thermal acclimatization.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah W. Davies, Matthew H. Gamache, Lauren I. Howe-Kerr, Nicola G. Kriefall, Andrew C. Baker, Anastazia T. Banaszak, Line Kolind Bay, Anthony J. Bellantuono, Debashish Bhattacharya, Cheong Xin Chan, Danielle C. Claar, Mary Alice Coffroth, Ross Cunning, Simon K. Davy, Javier del Campo, Erika M. Diaz-Almeyda, Jorg C. Frommlet, Lauren E. Fuess, Raul A. Gonzalez-Pech, Tamar L. Goulet, Kenneth D. Hoadley, Emily J. Howells, Benjamin C. C. Hume, Dustin W. Kemp, Carly D. Kenkel, Sheila A. Kitchen, Todd C. LaJeunesse, Senjie Lin, Shelby E. McIlroy, Ryan McMinds, Matthew R. Nitschke, Clinton A. Oakley, Raquel S. Peixoto, Carlos Prada, Hollie M. Putnam, Kate Quigley, Hannah G. Reich, James Davis Reimer, Mauricio Rodriguez-Lanetty, Stephanie M. Rosales, Osama S. Saad, Eugenia M. Sampayo, Scott R. Santos, Eiichi Shoguchi, Edward G. Smith, Michael Stat, Timothy G. Stephens, Marie E. Strader, David J. Suggett, Timothy D. Swain, Cawa Tran, Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Christian R. Voolstra, Mark E. Warner, Virginia M. Weis, Rachel M. Wright, Tingting Xiang, Hiroshi Yamashita, Maren Ziegler, Adrienne M. S. Correa, John Everett Parkinson
Summary: Genetic and functional variation in microeukaryotes can accumulate faster than morphological differences. Understanding the evolutionary history and ecology of such lineages requires examining diversity at multiple levels of organization. In the case of Symbiodiniaceae, molecular data have been used to describe phenotypes and make evolutionary inferences, but a lack of consensus among researchers has hindered progress in the field.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Melanie Doerr, Julia Denger, Celine S. Maier, Jana V. Kirsch, Hannah Manns, Christian R. Voolstra
Summary: As the impact of climate change on coral reefs intensifies, microbiome-targeted interventions are emerging as potential solutions to mitigate coral bleaching. However, the mechanisms and extent of manipulating the microbiome are still largely unknown. This study establishes short-term acute thermal stress assays using a standardized and reproducible experimental platform, and demonstrates the ability to assess stress tolerance phenotypes of a coral model organism. The research also shows the potential for resolving differences in thermal tolerance by incubating with bacteria. The findings suggest the use of the experimental platform as a means to accelerate the discovery of microbes and microbial mechanisms mediating thermal stress tolerance.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Hugo J. Scharfenstein, Carlos Alvarez-Roa, Lesa M. Peplow, Patrick Buerger, Wing Yan Chan, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
Summary: Through chemical mutagenesis and thermal selection, Durusdinium trenchii, Fugacium kawagutii, and Symbiodinium pilosum strains of Symbiodiniaceae showed increased photosynthetic efficiency under thermal stress. However, there were trade-offs in the growth rates of the heat-evolved D. trenchii lineage at both ambient and elevated temperatures. Reduced nutrient uptake rates in F. kawagutii and S. pilosum heat-evolved lineages suggest changes in nutrition resource usage and allocation processes. These findings enhance our understanding of the physiological responses and adaptive capacity of Symbiodiniaceae cultures to thermal selection.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wing Yan Chan, Luka Meyers, David Rudd, Sanjida H. Topa, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
Summary: Experimental evolution of coral microalgal symbionts can enhance the thermotolerance of adult corals without trade-off against growth under ambient temperature. This study demonstrates that heat-evolved symbionts can persist in corals for a long time and potentially provide long-term benefits to coral thermotolerance.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Till Roethig, Stacey M. M. Trevathan-Tackett, Christian R. R. Voolstra, Cliff Ross, Samuel Chaffron, Paul J. J. Durack, Laura M. M. Warmuth, Michael Sweet
Summary: Climate change is significantly impacting marine and coastal ecosystems worldwide. While the effects of ocean warming and acidification are well-studied, there is limited research on the impacts of human-induced changes in ocean salinity. These salinity changes have the potential to affect ocean currents, oxygen saturation, and sea level rise, as well as impact marine biodiversity and ecosystem structure. It is crucial to gather comprehensive salinity data in dynamic coastal regions to understand the relationships between salinity and ecosystem functions and to project future changes that can have implications for carbon sequestration and freshwater availability.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachel Alderdice, Gabriela Perna, Anny Cardenas, Benjamin C. C. Hume, Martin Wolf, Michael Kuhl, Mathieu Pernice, David J. Suggett, Christian R. Voolstra
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barbara Porro, Thamilla Zamoum, Didier Forcioli, Eric Gilson, Adrien Poquet, Eugenio Di Franco, Stephanie Barnay-Verdier, Fabien Lombard, Christian R. Voolstra, Benjamin C. C. Hume, Pierre E. Galand, Clementine Moulin, Emilie Boissin, Guillaume Bourdin, Guillaume Iwankow, Julie Poulain, Sarah Romac, Sylvain Agostini, Bernard Banaigs, Emmanuel Boss, Chris Bowler, Colomban de Vargas, Eric Douville, Michel Flores, Stephane Pesant, Stephanie Reynaud, Matthew B. Sullivan, Shinichi Sunagawa, Olivier P. Thomas, Romain Trouble, Rebecca Vega Thurber, Patrick Wincker, Didier Zoccola, Serge Planes, Denis Allemand, Eric Roettinger, Paola Furla
Summary: This study tested the contribution of genetic and environmental conditions to the phenotypic response of coral species. It found that Pocillopora and Porites exhibit different phenotypic response strategies, influenced by genetics and past climate events. Pocillopora displayed higher phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental variables, while Porites had more robust phenotypes influenced by genetics and past climate.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Keren Maor-Landaw, Marion Eisenhut, Giada Tortorelli, Allison van de Meene, Samantha Kurz, Gabriela Segal, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Andreas P. M. Weber, Geoffrey I. McFadden
Summary: The symbiotic partnership between corals and dinoflagellate algae is crucial for coral reefs. The transporter protein BmSWEET1 in dinoflagellate cells is responsible for transferring glucose from algae to the host coral tissue, providing the necessary energy for coral reefs. This study provides insights into the mechanism of nutrient exchange in coral-algae symbiosis.
ISME COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Benjamin Noel, France Denoeud, Alice Rouan, Carol Buitrago-Lopez, Laura Capasso, Julie Poulain, Emilie Boissin, Melanie Pousse, Corinne Da Silva, Arnaud Couloux, Eric Armstrong, Quentin Carradec, Corinne Cruaud, Karine Labadie, Julie Le-Hoang, Sylvie Tambutte, Valerie Barbe, Clementine Moulin, Guillaume Bourdin, Guillaume Iwankow, Sarah Romac, Sylvain Agostini, Bernard Banaigs, Emmanuel Boss, Chris Bowler, Colomban de Vargas, Eric Douville, J. Michel Flores, Didier Forcioli, Paola Furla, Pierre E. Galand, Fabien Lombard, Stephane Pesant, Stephanie Reynaud, Matthew B. Sullivan, Shinichi Sunagawa, Olivier P. Thomas, Romain Trouble, Rebecca Vega Thurber, Denis Allemand, Serge Planes, Eric Gilson, Didier Zoccola, Patrick Wincker, Christian R. Voolstra, Jean-Marc Aury
Summary: In the Tara Pacific expedition, we assembled two coral genomes, Porites lobata and Pocillopora cf. effusa, with greatly improved contiguity. We annotated their gene catalog and found a relatively high number of genes, 43,000 and 32,000, respectively. These duplicated genes are mainly related to the immune system and disease resistance, providing insights into the stress resilience of reef-building corals.
