Coral Holobiont Immune Processes

The coral holobiont is comprised of many different symbiotic partners including the coral host, micro-eukaryotes, prokaryotes, archaea, fungi, and dinoflagellates (Symbiodiniaceae). This complex community involves complex interactions to maintain homeostasis. However, little is understood about these interactions. This research area aims to untangle these interactions and in particular understand how the immune system interacts with these symbiotic consortium.

Associated Publications:

Bonacolta A.***, Connelly, M.T. **,  Rosales S., Del Campo J., Traylor-Knowles N. Micro-niche sampling of the bacteriome in the Starlet Sea Anemone, Nematostella vectensis, reveals a compartment-specific dominance of Spirochetes. In review, FEMS Microbiology Ecology. LINK

Connelly M. T.**, McRae C.J., Liu P-J, and Traylor-Knowles, N. (2020) Lipopolysaccharide treatment stimulates Pocillopora coral genotype-specific immune responses but does not alter coral-associated bacteria communities. Developmental and Comparative Immunology.109 (2020): 103717. LINK

Cunning, R., Bay, R. A., Gillette, P., Baker, A.C., and Traylor-Knowles, N. (2018) Comparative analysis of the Pocillopora damicornis genome highlights role of immune system in coral evolution. Scientific Reports. 8(1): 8:16134. DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-34459-8. LINK