Stem cells in corals and sea anemones

Stem cells are self-renewing, developmental units capable of regeneration that can differentiate into different cell types and tissues and are considered to be fundamental units of natural selection.  Because they have the potential for differentiation to multiple cell types, including immune cells and germline cells, stem cells have unique therapeutic potential and, in some organisms, including colonial invertebrates such as corals, can regenerate whole body structures many times during life.  Although little is understood about stem cells within corals, the conserved function of these cells in different organisms suggests that stem cells would have regenerative capabilities in corals.

In this research program are developing robust tools for the isolation, characterization, and transplantation of coral stem cells. These tools are species non-specific, and therefore widely applicable. We are developing generalized strategies for isolating cell-type enriched cell populations, especially stem cells, in anemones and stony corals. In collaboration with Rosental Lab at Ben Gurion University of the Negev we are developing cell transplantation techniques for engraftment in non-model species. Being able to isolate, manipulate, and replace stem cells in diverse species will assist in efforts to understand how the developmental programs that construct or regenerate an organism function. Being able to transfer stem cells from a stress-resilient coral to a sensitive one will assist in understanding the mechanisms governing stress tolerance.

Collaboration: Dr. Benyamin Rosental, Ben Gurion University of the Negev

Funding: Revive and Restore: Catalyst Research Fund

Associated Publications:

Snyder, G., Browne, W.E., Traylor-Knowles, N.*, Rosental, B.* (2020) Fluorescence-activated cell sorting techniques for the isolation of scleractinian cell populations. JoVE. *co-senior authors LINK

Rosental, B., Kozhekbaeva, Z., Fernhoff, N., Tsai, J., Traylor-Knowles, N. (2017) Coral cell separation and isolation by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). BMC Cell Biology. 18(1): 1-30. LINK