What Are We Doing?
Research
Information is limited on the physiological parameters that define healthy coral
and less on coral disease dynamics. Our challenge is to apply advanced technologies
in functional genomics, proteomics and systems biology to expand our knowledge in
coral health and disease dynamics. The knowledge gained from this approach will
position us to move aggressively toward characterizing the processes that control
ecological connectivity among reefs and discover critical control points for management
strategies.
- EST sequences available – Over 4000 sequences have been produced from EST
(expressed sequence tags) projects for Montastraea annularis, Oculina varicosa,
and Porites porites, accessible at http://www.marinegenomics.org.
- Coral Microbial Communities – Over 38,000 ribosomal gene sequences cloned
from coral-associated bacteria are available at http://www.marinegenomics.org.
- Porites astreoides cDNAs – New normalized cDNA library has been constructed
and 12,000 sequences related to adult, and early life stage gene products are available
at http://www.marinegenomics.org.
Diagnostic Resources
There is limited application of medical/veterinary knowledge or protocols to the
study of coral health and disease, resulting in ambiguous and often misleading communication
of findings. Compounded by inadequate diagnostic tools and insufficient application
of diagnostic procedures, the challenge is to develop standardized procedures based
on medical principles that clearly define the terminology, pathology and diagnostic
criteria.
- Setting Diagnostic Criteria - Experts in coral biology, pathology and veterinary
science have met to develop web-enabled tools for use in recognizing gross signs
of disease and use in clinical diagnostic pathology and developing case definitions
for selected coral syndromes. The web-tool is available to guide investigators in
the diagnostic process. (link)
- Advanced Histology Workshop reviewed case studies, set nomenclature and developed
an extensive glossary; the report is available as a pdf or on request. Submit request
at
cdhc.coral@noaa.gov
- Diagnostic Tools Available - Consortium members have achieved significant
advances in diagnostic assay development that will assist researchers in identifying
coral stressors. Examples of new techniques include:
- DNA probe for the White Plague agent – Dr. Laurie Richardson, Florida Atlantic University
- DNA sequence analysis for the White Pox agent Serratia marcescens (newly designated
'White Pox Serratiosis' when the presence of S. marcescens is confirmed) - Dr. Kathryn
Sutherland, Rollins College, Winter Park FL
- coral immuno-competence (IMCOMP) assay to assess the presence of antimicrobial agents
within coral tissue by using a modified bacterial viability assay – Dr. Craig Downs,
Haereticus Environmental Laboratory
- PCR-screening test for recognized pathogens – Dr. Shawn Polson, Univ. Delaware &
NOAA NOS Charleston, SC
- DNA AP site lesions – NOAA NOS Charleston, SC
- Various toxicity tests are being adapted or modified to address development, mutagenesis,
and cellular pathologies associated with toxicant exposures.
Educational Opportunities
- Pauley Program –
Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.
- Coral Tissue Slide Reading course – A training and slide annotation course
for normal histology of corals, using virtual slide technologies. Mote Marine Lab,
Summerland Key, FL Summer 2010. http://isurus.mote.org/Keys/slide_workshop_2010.phtml
- Diseases of Corals and Other Reef Organisms – A training course for recognition
of diseased corals and other reef organisms in the field. Mote Marine Lab, Summerland
Key, FL Summer 2010. http://isurus.mote.org/Keys/disease_workshop_2010.phtml
- Genomics for the Non-Genomics Coral Scientist Course – The course will introduce
non-experts in genomics to the potential uses of genome science. In a week, whole
genome projects, basic databases, transcriptome analysis by sequence and microarray
approaches, and tools for microbial diversity assessment will be covered. Practical
problem sets will be used to illustrate each of the types of data available to today’s
coral researcher and provide the participants with practical experience with real
coral data. June 21-27, 2009.
- CDHC Response Workshops - Two training workshops are planned, one in the
Caribbean and the other in the Pacific to train responders in methods of outbreak
investigation for unusual coral disease outbreaks. Expected dates: Guam spring 2010;
Caribbean, summer 2010.