C3 seminar: The molecular basis of thermal tolerance in Symbiodinium

Speaker: Dr Rachel Levin, UNSW

Title: Comparative transcriptomics of the coral photosymbiont, Symbiodinium, reveals the molecular basis of thermal tolerance

Ocean warming due to anthropogenic climate change causes coral bleaching — the loss of Symbiodinium from corals — resulting in coral death worldwide. Symbiodinium can strongly influence coral bleaching temperature thresholds, but the molecular basis governing this influence has never been explained. Rachel’s research has filled this knowledge gap by uncovering that Symbiodinium thermal tolerance is acquired through an acclimation phase involving up-regulation of meiosis genes that culminates in up-regulation of numerous antioxidant and molecular chaperone genes. Furthermore, by showing that regulation of these genes and functional gene groups tightly align with Symbiodinium physiological heat stress responses, thermal tolerances, and bleaching thresholds, Rachel’s work has advanced understanding of the bleaching susceptibility of corals and the health of coral reefs.

 

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Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.