Discover coral rescue gene from starvation

Australian scientists have discovered that some types of algae can switch genes to withstand higher temperatures, avoiding coral bleaching.

When the water temperature rises, algae suffer from heat stress, releasing toxins that affect both algae and corals in that area. As a result, algae will leave the coral, causing them to be discolored and starved to death.

Australian scientists have discovered that some types of algae can convert genes to withstand higher temperatures , avoiding coral bleaching. This gene after conversion will help produce some proteins to protect the algae , helping them not to be exposed to heat. Scientists compared two types of algae from two cool and cool sites along the famous Great Barrier Reef in Queensland and came to the discovery.

A white coral reef in Australia.(Photo: Startribune).

"We have found that algae from warmer coral reefs can activate genes especially when subjected to heat stress. For the first time we discovered this mechanism. We discovered that some types of corals can transfer transcribing genes to produce proteins that neutralize toxic substances It helps explain why some algae can withstand higher temperatures and are not bleached " - Rachel Levin - a scientist at New South University Wales, head of research - said.

The study also found that stressed algae can switch from normal clones to sexual reproduction . "Sexual reproduction helps accelerate evolution and allows some types of algae to adapt quickly, withstand rising sea surface temperatures" - Madeleine van Oppen - of the University of Adelaide, a colleague fake - said.

The study has just been published in the journal Molecular Biology and this development is considered to help us better understand the mechanism of coral bleaching and find ways to save the "living lungs" under the sea. this.