Shifts in the coral microbiome in response to experimental deoxygenation.

Marine hypoxia is a threat for corals but has remained understudied in tropical regions where coral reefs are abundant. Though microbial symbioses can alleviate the effects of ecological stress, we do not yet understand the taxonomic or functional response of the coral microbiome to hypoxia. In this study, we experimentally lowered oxygen levels around and colonies to observe changes in the coral microbiome in response to deoxygenation.

Concordance of microbial and visual health indicators of white-band disease in nursery reared Caribbean coral .

Background: Coral diseases are one of the leading causes of declines in coral populations. In the Caribbean, white band disease (WBD) has led to a substantial loss of corals. Although the etiologies of this disease have not been well described, characterizing the coral microbiome during the transition from a healthy to diseased state is critical for understanding disease progression.

Venous leg ulcers and prevalence of surgically correctable reflux disease in a national registry.

Background: Chronic venous disorders are common, with varicose veins occurring in ∼40% of the population. Venous leg ulcers affect 1% to 2% of the population, with the prevalence increasing ≤4% for those aged >65 years. Both conditions are expensive and together are responsible for ≤2% of the annual healthcare budget expenditure of Western societies.

Mixtures of genotypes increase disease resistance in a coral nursery.

Marine infectious diseases are a leading cause of population declines globally due, in large part, to challenges in diagnosis and limited treatment options. Mitigating disease spread is particularly important for species targeted for conservation. In some systems, strategic arrangement of organisms in space can constrain disease outbreaks, however, this approach has not been used in marine restoration.

Microbiome and Metabolome Contributions to Coral Health and Disease.

AbstractCoral populations are declining worldwide as a result of increased environmental stressors, including disease. Coral health is greatly dependent on complex interactions between the host animal and its associated microbial symbionts. While relatively understudied, there is growing evidence that the coral microbiome contributes to the health and resilience of corals in a variety of ways, similar to more well-studied systems, such as the human microbiome.