Genomic approaches in coral exposed to acidification stress

Abstract

Coral reefs are the most magnificent and diverse marine ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs have had a crucial role in shaping the ecosystems that have dominated tropical oceans over the past 200 million years. Recently major impacts of climate change including, elevated temperature and marine acidification, might have accelerated the process of destruction on coral reefs worldwide. By investigating changes in coral gene expression triggered by particular environmental stressors. we can characterize coral stress responses at molecular level, which develop powerful diagnostic tools for evaluating coral health in the field. In this research, we studied the physiological aspect, and transcriptional responses of the soft coral (Scleronephthya gracillimum) in Korea against combination of heat and carbon dioxide (CO2).e change including, elevated temperature and marine acidification, might have accelerated the process of destruction on coral reefs worldwide. By investigating changes in coral gene expression triggered by particular environmental stressors. we can characterize coral stress responses at molecular level, which develop powerful diagnostic tools for evaluating coral health in the field. In this research, we studied the physiological aspect, and transcriptional responses of the soft coral (Scleronephthya gracillimum) in Korea against combination of heat and carbon dioxide (CO2).