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Coral Microbiology and probiotics

Project

Project Details

Program
Marine Science
Field of Study
Marine Microbiology
Division
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Center Affiliation
Red Sea Research Center

Project Description

The use of Beneficial Microorganisms for Corals (BMCs) as coral probiotics is one new methods being explored for reef conservation, restoration and rehabilitation. Our group has proposed and proven the concept that BMCs can mitigate the impacts caused by thermal stress and pathogens (Rosado et al., 2019). Despite their documented success in protecting against coral bleaching, the mechanisms associated with this protection, its application, fate of inoculated microbes and success in natural systems, and BMC possible interactions or connectivity with other organisms in the reef, remain to be explored. For this reason, the intern will join current projects being currently developed by our group that aim to isolate, select, and assemble specific BMC consortia from the Red Sea coral reefs and evaluate its role in promoting coral growth, coverage, health and connectivity with other organisms as well as to perform a deep investigation of the symbiotic relationships between corals and their associated microbiota, and its ecological outcomes.

About the Researcher

Raquel Peixoto
Associate Professor, Marine Science
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division

Affiliations

Education Profile

  • Ph.D. Microbiolgy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2005
  • M.S. Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2001
  • B.S. Biological Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1998

Research Interests

Prof. Peixoto's research has outlined the protocols and proved the concept that the manipulation of coral-associated microorganisms, using Beneficial Microorganisms for Corals (BMCs), is possible and can increase the host's resilience and resistance against environmental threats. This pioneering work has contributed to pave the way for new approaches to reveal and explore mechanisms of marine microbiology and symbiotic interactions. As a Beneficial Microbes for Marine Organisms network (BMMO) founder and chair, her goal is to keep promoting a powerful international platform where basic knowledge can be strengthened and transformed into products to be used for marine ecosystems and sustainable development, as part of her projects on coral reef protection,A restoration and rehabilitation.

Selected Publications

  • Extending the natural adaptive capacity of coral holobionts. Voolstra, C.R., Suggett, D.J., Peixoto, R.S. et al. Nature Reviews Earth Environ (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-021-00214-3
  • Coral microbiome manipulation elicits metabolic and genetic restructuring to mitigate heat stress and evade mortality. Santoro, E.P., Borges, R., Espinoza, J.La€¦.Voolstra, C.R., Peixoto, R.S. Science Advances 7, 2021.
  • Marine Probiotics: Increasing coral resilience to bleaching through microbiome manipulation. MagalhA£es-Rosado, P.; Leite, D.; Duarte, G.A.; Jospin, G.; Eisen, J.; Chaloub, R.M., Bourne, D., Peixoto, R.S. The ISME Journal doi: 10.1038/s41396-018-0323-6. 2019.
  • Beneficial Microorganisms for corals (BMC): proposed mechanisms for coral health and resilience. Peixoto, R.S.; Rosado, P.M.; Leite, D.C.A.; Rosado, A.S.; Bourne, D.G. Frontiers in Microbiology 8:341. doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00341., 2017. Frontiers in Microbiology.
  • Climate Change Affects Key Nitrogen Fixing Bacterial Populations on Coral Reefs. Santos, H. F.; Carmo, F. L.; Duarte, G; Dini Andreote, F.; Castro, C; Rosado, A. S.; Elsas, J. D. V.; Peixoto, R. S. The ISME Journal, 8: 2272-2279, 2014.

Desired Project Deliverables

Survey of molecular microbial-mediated mechanisms to promote coral health and growth.

Recommended Student Background

Microbiology
Marine Sciences

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3-6 months
Internship period
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Research Projects
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Cumulative GPA
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Interns a Year