Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Governing Cnidarian/Algal Symbioses

这项研究将研究刺胞动物之间的细胞和分子相互作用，如造礁珊瑚，和他们的单细胞共生藻类居住在他们的组织。 Weis的研究小组将识别和表征宿主珊瑚和密切相关的海葵中的基因，这些基因由于与藻类共生而被特别开启。 这些所谓的共生基因的表达在最初建立的刺胞动物的主机和共生藻类的伙伴关系的时间过程中，将探讨在显微镜下的珊瑚幼虫，获得他们的藻类从他们的环境中，通过ingenglish他们与食物。 新的最先进的遗传技术将被用来阻止共生基因产物的正确功能。 这种方法将有助于确定共生基因在调节和维持珊瑚/藻类共生中所起的作用。在每个生态系统中，都发现两个或两个以上不相关的生物体之间存在共生关系。 这些关系包括一系列的生活方式，从互利到寄生，从细胞外到细胞内。 最重要的海洋互惠关系是珊瑚与其藻类共生体之间的互惠关系，它们共同构成整个珊瑚礁生态系统的营养和结构基础。 人们对珊瑚在宏观尺度上的了解很多，例如它们的全球分布和生态。 然而，在启动，建立和维护这些共生过程中发生的合作伙伴间的沟通和监管的微观过程仍然在很大程度上未被探索。 由于缺乏对这些过程的基本知识，人们难以理解珊瑚白化这一全球现象，这是共生关系破裂的结果。 大范围的白化导致珊瑚死亡和珊瑚礁退化，被认为是一个严重的环境威胁。 这项研究将采取多层次的方法来检查周围的珊瑚和它们的共生藻类之间的共生的启动，建立和维持的事件。

This study will examine the cellular and molecular interactions between cnidarians, such as reef-building corals, and their single-celled symbiotic algae that reside within their tissues. Weis' group will identify and characterize genes in host corals and closely related anemones that are turned on specifically due to their symbiosis with algae. The time-course for the expression of these so-called symbiosis genes during the initial establishment of the cnidarian host and symbiotic algae partnership will be explored in microscopic larval corals that acquire their algae from their environment, by ingesting them with food. New state-of-the-art genetic techniques will be used to block the correct functioning of the symbiosis gene products. This approach will help determine the role that symbiosis genes play in the regulation and maintenance of coral/algal symbioses.Symbiotic associations between two or more unrelated organisms are found throughout every ecosystem. These relationships encompass a spectrum of lifestyles, from mutualistic to parasitic, and from extracellular to intracellular. Among the most significant marine mutualisms are those between corals and their algal symbionts, which together form both the trophic and structural foundation of the entire coral reef ecosystem. A great deal is known about corals on a macroscale level, such as their global distribution and ecology. However, microscale processes of inter-partner communication and regulation that occur during the initiation, establishment, and maintenance of these symbioses remain largely unexplored. A lack of basic knowledge of these processes has hampered efforts to understand the global phenomenon of coral bleaching, which is the result of the breakdown of the symbiosis. Widespread bleaching, which leads to coral death and reef degradation, is considered a serious environmental threat. This study will take a multileveled approach to the examination of the events surrounding the initiation, establishment and maintenance of symbioses between corals and their symbiotic algae.