Nikki Traylor-Knowles, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and Benyamin Rosental, Ben Gurion University, Israel
The isolation and growth of coral stem cells has been identified as the number one priority for achieving genetic resilience in corals. Stem cells are capable of differentiation into a wide variety of cells and have been shown in many organisms to be critical for therapeutic and regenerative applications.
Improved knowledge about coral stem cells and development of techniques for isolation and propagation will provide technology that is fundamental for repair, recovery, and regeneration of thermo-tolerant corals. This team was the first to isolate pluripotent stem cells from corals (2018).
A newly published study (2024) demonstrates, for the first time, the isolation and transplantation of stem cells in Hexacorallia, a subclass of cnidarians that includes stony corals and sea anemones. This innovative work marks a pivotal step towards using stem cell technology to aid in the restoration and resilience of these essential marine organisms.
A coral laboratory set-up from the Traylor-Knowles lab | Traylor-Knowles Lab
