Learn about what one laboratory is doing to protect and save coral reefs at an upcoming Math + Science + X Seminar.
Dr. Blake Ushijima, assistant professor with the Department of Biology & Marine Biology at University of North Carolina Wilmington presents, “Utilizing Beneficial Bacteria to Treat Coral Disease,” 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 1, via Zoom. Click here to register; Zoom meeting ID is 963 4913 3089 and passcode is MSX.
Coral reefs are under threat for various reasons ranging from climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Disease outbreaks have also caused or are currently causing significant damage to corals.
“Some of these deadly disease outbreaks are caused by pathogenic bacteria, which can cause the rapid destruction of coral colonies,” Ushijima said in an event flyer. “However, our lab is investigating ways to use bacteria to fight bacteria.”
Probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, are isolated from healthy corals and then are utilized as a direct treatment for some coral diseases.
“Though this approach is still relatively new, the preliminary results suggest that this could be viable treatment for coral disease,” Ushijima said.
Math + Science + X seminars help Mathematics, Natural, and Health Sciences faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu promote fascinating, interesting, and current topics that are happening in STEM. STEM community members around the island, mainland, and within the university are invited to give presentations. Each seminar is geared to introduce UH West Oʻahu undergraduates, faculty, staff, and interested community members to a variety of research and career development or opportunities.
For more information, email ogeorge@hawaii.edu.