By Liv Williamson
Revive & Restore is thrilled to share groundbreaking research that brings us a step closer to utilizing stem cell therapies in coral conservation. A newly published study 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.
Stem cells can self-renew and differentiate into specialized cell types. These remarkable characteristics make them invaluable for cell therapies aimed at repairing or replacing damaged tissues. In the medical field, stem cell therapies are already routinely used for applications ranging from treating blood disorders to regenerating damaged tissues. Since 2020, as part of our Advanced Coral Toolkit, Revive & Restore has funded Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles at the University of Miami and Dr. Benyamin Rosental at Ben-Gurion University to explore stem cells as a foundation for genetic therapies in corals.
Co-PIs: Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles (University of Miami) and Dr. Benyamin Rosental (Ben-Gurion University)
In the new study released this week, their team successfully isolated candidate stem cells from Nematostella vectensis, a model sea anemone related to corals, and transplanted them from donors into recipient animals. These transplanted cells integrated into the host tissues, survived, and even protected the recipient anemones from lethal doses of chemotherapy, showcasing their functional role as stem cells. Impressively, the cells also proliferated and endured across multiple transplantations, underscoring their resilience and adaptability.
Perhaps most excitingly, the study found that this specific subset of stem cells can be enriched using non-species-specific cell markers in other hexacorallians, including the stony coral Pocillopora damicornis. By establishing methods to isolate and transplant stem cells that can likely translate to corals, this research lays the groundwork for potential future coral restoration techniques that could address critical issues like tissue repair, resilience to climate stress, and resistance to coral bleaching.
Revive & Restore will continue funding for Dr. Traylor-Knowles’ and Dr. Rosental’s pioneering work through 2026, and we look forward to sharing more of what they discover about the potential for coral stem cells to aid genetic rescue. As coral reefs worldwide face mounting threats, research like this underscores the potential of biotech solutions in coral conservation, opening doors to therapies that could one day help preserve these vibrant ecosystems for future generations.
