Sunscreen, Coral & Climate Change

Most of us have heard about coral bleaching due to climate change. But even if we tackle climate change head-on, it likely won't be in time to save many of ocean's reef systems. What else can we do? Well, at least we can make sure to not do things that exacerbate the situation. Join us to hear about research from Stanford University, "Aiptasia, a model for Cnidarian-algal symbiosis, sheds light on coral bleaching." Studies using the small sea anemone, Aiptasia, as a model organism revealing the role of a glucose transporter in this symbiotic partnership. Examining oxybenzone, a chemical sunscreen, they uncovered a phototoxic mechanism for how sunscreen ingredient injures anemones and corals, exacerbating the harm from our warming oceans.

Presented in collaboration with the SSU Biology Department's Colloquium Series.

Presenter

Lorraine Ling earned her PhD in Biochemistry from MIT studying protein quality control and stress response in E.coli. She then pivoted to investigating stress response in corals for her postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. John Pringle at Stanford University. In the Pringle Lab, she contributed to studies examining the molecular mechanisms for cnidarian-algal symbiosis at the protein level, proteomic changes during heat stress, and dysbiosis due to sunscreen. She is now a Scientist at SyntheX, using the power of genetics and synthetic biology to build the next generation of drug discovery engines.