Australian researchers study immune system of reef building corals

11:43 PM Wed 18 Aug 2010 GMT

'Typical signs of pigmentation response, an inflammatory-like response to stressors exhibited by massive species of the reef coral Porites. Photograph courtesy of Caroline Palmer.' ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies &copy

Australian researchers are a step closer to understanding the rapid decline of our coral reefs, thanks to a breakthrough study linking coral immunity with its susceptibility to bleaching and disease. The discovery was made by Caroline Palmer, Bette Willis and John Bythell, scientists from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University (Queensland) and Newcastle University (UK). 'Understanding the immune system of reef-building corals will help to reduce the impact of coral diseases and environmental stresses,' says Caroline Palmer, lead author of the publication. 'Potentially, this will enable us to more accurately predict the ...

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by ARC Centre of Excellence