CORALASSIST LAB​

CORALASSIST is a research project based at Newcastle University and is funded by the European Research Council. The aim of CORALASSIST is to examine the feasibility of using “assisted gene flow” (AGF) combined with selective breeding on coral reefs to sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services in the face of climate change. AGF involves the deliberate movement of individual organisms or gametes within the natural species range to assist adaptation to environmental change. Corals reefs are an excellent model ecosystem for testing AGF as a conservation tool because reef building corals are foundation species and are highly vulnerable to thermal stress. However, these conservation approaches are not without risks, for example, selecting more heat resistant individuals may lead to reductions in growth rates or reproduction. The overall aim of CORALASSIST, therefore, is to look at the feasibility of using AGF in coral reef ecosystems using a combination of selective breeding, heritability experiments, state of the art molecular biology and innovative restoration techniques. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No: 725848_CORALASSIST.