Introducing Super Corals: The Genetically-Engineered Solution to Saving the Caribbean's Coral Reefs
A breakthrough in coral reef conservation has been made by researchers at the University of California who have developed “super corals” that are resistant to genetic diseases. These corals have been found to grow and survive in areas where many other corals have been killed off due to disease. This breakthrough has tremendous potential for the future of coral reef conservation in the Caribbean.
The research team identified a mutation in the gene that causes a disease known as Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) and was able to use the mutation to engineer corals that are resistant to the disease. The team developed a technique that allowed them to transfer the mutation to a number of coral species, creating a “super coral” that is resistant to SCTLD.
The findings of this research have the potential to be a major breakthrough in coral reef conservation. These “super corals” could be used to repopulate and rebuild damaged coral reefs in the Caribbean, helping to restore the beauty and biodiversity of the region’s coral reefs.
source: Phys.org