Role of bacterial-zooxanthellae symbiosis and gene transfer in coral reef resilience : interim report (May 1 - October 15, 2009).

Abstract

This project consisted of bacterial characterizations, bacterial symbiont manipulations, and gene transfer agent experiments. This report includes microbial characterizations of zooxanthellae-associated bacterial symbionts, the screening of bacterial symbionts for Gene Transfer Agents (GTAs), laboratory gene transfer experiments, and field experiments to determine gene transfer in a coral reef environment. The results of the project indicate that the reef environment can be a very favorable environment for GTA mediated gene transfer.