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We are establishing both culturing and transformation protocols for these microalgae symbionts. We began by optimizing culturing techniques for Symbiodinium microadriaticum, Oxyrrhis marina (our model organism), and Dunaliella tertiolecta (the food source for O. marina). | We are establishing both culturing and transformation protocols for these microalgae symbionts. We began by optimizing culturing techniques for Symbiodinium microadriaticum, Oxyrrhis marina (our model organism), and Dunaliella tertiolecta (the food source for O. marina). | ||
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To identify optimal algal growth conditions, we tested various factors such as growth media, light intensity, and temperature. We designed a codon optimized red fluorescent protein part that was cloned into a dinoflagellate-optimized expression plasmid (DinoIII)(Sprecher, et. al 2019) for transformation into our model organism as a proof of concept. In parallel, we are also attempting to replicate the only known successful transformation of Symbiodinium using an Agrobacterium tumefacien co-culture carrying a binary vector, pCB302-GFP-MBD (Ortiz-Matamoros et. al 2015), and designing/executing various electroporation protocols. A genomic analysis of clade D Symbiodinium, a clade associated with higher resistance to bleaching but diminished coral growth, will identify target genes related to bleaching resistance for transformation into the growth-favorable clade C of Symbiodinium. The corals will then uptake the modified host algae, increasing their resistance to bleaching. | To identify optimal algal growth conditions, we tested various factors such as growth media, light intensity, and temperature. We designed a codon optimized red fluorescent protein part that was cloned into a dinoflagellate-optimized expression plasmid (DinoIII)(Sprecher, et. al 2019) for transformation into our model organism as a proof of concept. In parallel, we are also attempting to replicate the only known successful transformation of Symbiodinium using an Agrobacterium tumefacien co-culture carrying a binary vector, pCB302-GFP-MBD (Ortiz-Matamoros et. al 2015), and designing/executing various electroporation protocols. A genomic analysis of clade D Symbiodinium, a clade associated with higher resistance to bleaching but diminished coral growth, will identify target genes related to bleaching resistance for transformation into the growth-favorable clade C of Symbiodinium. The corals will then uptake the modified host algae, increasing their resistance to bleaching. |
Revision as of 05:30, 4 October 2019
The Problem
Our team was inspired by the Netflix documentary, Chasing Coral. Coral bleaching, the loss of algal symbionts necessary for the survival of cnidarian reef organisms, is a disastrous environmental issue with global consequences. No single factor has been established as the cause of this catastrophe, but there are a multitude of suspects including increased greenhouse gas emissions and rising seawater temperatures.The Solution
Whatever the cause, we believe a solution may involve genetically modifying the symbiotic microalgae, Symbiodinium, that live within corals.The Plan
We are establishing both culturing and transformation protocols for these microalgae symbionts. We began by optimizing culturing techniques for Symbiodinium microadriaticum, Oxyrrhis marina (our model organism), and Dunaliella tertiolecta (the food source for O. marina).