Project description:Coral reefs are based on the symbiotic relationship between corals and photosynthetic dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium. We followed gene expression of coral larvae of Acropora palmata and Montastraea faveolata after exposure to Symbiodinium strains that differed in their ability to establish symbioses. We show that the coral host transcriptome remains almost unchanged during infection by competent symbionts, but is massively altered by symbionts that fail to establish symbioses. Our data suggest that successful coral-algal symbioses depend mainly on the symbionts' ability to enter the host in a stealth manner rather than a more active response from the coral host. Acropora palmata Samples: Three biological replicates of pooled larvae from each species and condition (i.e. untreated control, inoculated with competent Symbiodinium strain, inoculated with incompetent Symbiodinium strain) for both time points were hybridized against a pooled reference. Pooled references were constructed by combining equal amounts of aRNA from all control samples from A. palmata. References were labeled with Cy3, samples with Cy5. Montastraea faveolata Samples: Three biological replicates of pooled larvae from each species and condition (i.e. untreated control, inoculated with competent Symbiodinium strain, inoculated with incompetent Symbiodinium strain) for both time points were hybridized against a pooled reference. Pooled references were constructed by combining equal amounts of aRNA from all control samples from M. faveolata. References were labeled with Cy3, samples with Cy5. Symbiodinium sp. CassKB8: competent strain Symbiodinium sp. EL1: incompetent strain Symbiodinium sp. Mf1.05b: competent strain
Project description:Coral reefs are based on the symbiotic relationship between corals and photosynthetic dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium. We followed gene expression of coral larvae of Acropora palmata and Montastraea faveolata after exposure to Symbiodinium strains that differed in their ability to establish symbioses. We show that the coral host transcriptome remains almost unchanged during infection by competent symbionts, but is massively altered by symbionts that fail to establish symbioses. Our data suggest that successful coral-algal symbioses depend mainly on the symbionts' ability to enter the host in a stealth manner rather than a more active response from the coral host.
Project description:Method development for protein extraction from microscopic biominerals. The method was developed using Hong Kong oyster larval shells
Project description:Here we reported 226 sperm proteins from the Hong Kong oyster Crassostrea hongkongensis. Proteins extracted from three sperm samples were separated by SDS-PAGE, analyzed by LC-MS/MS and identified using Mascot.
Project description:We have worked on skin explants and activated T cells locally with a CD3 antibody, whole biopsies were activated, then epidermal and dermal RNA was sequenced. Sequencing was performed by BGI (Hong Kong) as well as the group analysis.
Project description:Coral reefs worldwide are facing rapid decline due to coral bleaching. However, knowledge of the physiological characteristics and molecular mechanisms of coral symbionts respond to stress is scarce. Here, metagenomic and metaproteomic approach were utilized to shed light on the changes in the composition and functions of coral symbionts during coral bleaching. The results demonstrated that coral bleaching significantly affected the composition of symbionts, with bacterial communities dominating in bleached corals. Difference analysis of gene and protein indicated that symbiont functional disturbances in response to heat stress, resulting in abnormal energy metabolism that could potentially compromise symbiont health and resilience. Furthermore, our findings highlighted the highly diverse microbial communities of coral symbionts, with beneficial bacteria provide critical services to corals in stress responses, while pathogenic bacteria drive coral bleaching. This study provides comprehensive insights into the complex response mechanisms of coral symbionts under thermal stress and offers fundamental data for future monitoring of coral health.
Project description:Purpose: There is a dearth of knowledge regarding the molecular pathology of growth anomaly in corals. We investigated the gene expression profile of Montipora capitata metatranscriptomes from healthy and diseased (growth anomaly) coral colonies to elucidate differentially expressed genes. Methods: mRNA profiles of coral tissue (including symbionts) were generated from three different tissue states: healthy, affected and unaffected. Healthy tissue was collected from coral colonies not affected by growth anomaly. Affected tissue was collected from coral growth anomaly lesions. Unaffected tissue was collected from coral colonies affected by growth anomaly.
Project description:RNA sequencing was carried out at BGI, Hong Kong on an Illumina HiSeq platform to compare gene expression in Acinetobacter baumannii strain S1 and an adeAB deletion mutant in this strain.