Friend or Foe: are common coral symbionts mutualists or parasites? (ARC Discovery Projects administered by James Cook University) (2025-2028)

The cellular processes underpinning coral health are complex. Bacteria represent a third pillar supporting the symbiosis between coral and their algal partner, but despite being critical for coral resilience, this tripartite partnership is poorly characterized. Applying advanced imaging and sequencing approaches, this work will determine how bacterial interactions in corals are sustained, their function in maintaining coral health and whether they help stabilize the faltering coral symbiosis under environmental stress. Detailing the cellular processes that underpin coral health is critical for implementation of strategies to increase coral resilience and protect the values of the Great Barrier Reef faced with rapidly warming oceans.