DNA reveals the past and future of coral reefs
New DNA techniques are being used to understand how coral reacted to the end of the last ice age in order to better predict how they will cope with current changes to the climate. James Cook Univer
From 2005 to 2022, the main node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies was headquartered at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland (Australia)
This seminar will provide an overview of our recent adventures into bio-imaging and analysis with particular focus toward understanding structure and interaction at the scale of a single cell and/or in multiple dimensions. This will extend from 3-dimensional structural imaging (e.g. FIB-SEM, X-ray microscopy) to probing functional activities of individual cells and microorganisms through element analysis and isotope dynamics (e.g. SEM-EDS, Nano-SIMS). Examples will extend from single cells to complex holobionts, from marine to terrestrial environments, and include nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus-based analyses.
Bio: Peta Clode completed her PhD on microscopy and X-ray microanalysis of calcification processes in reef corals at La Trobe University, in 2002. From this she developed interests in structure-function relationships (particularly in symbiotic / parasitic systems) and in ion and nutrient transport strategies. Since 2003 Peta has been an academic in the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis at The University of Western Australia. She was Deputy Director 2014-15 and is currently the Director of Teaching. She is also responsible for leading applications and research in the imaging and characterisation of biological systems. Her recent interdisciplinary research extends from C and N dynamics in soil and marine systems, to understanding Ca and P toxicity mechanisms in plants, to investigating Australian wildlife pathogens. With this her microscopy expertise extends across optical, ion, electron, and X-ray based systems and ancillary analytical and sample preparation methods.
New DNA techniques are being used to understand how coral reacted to the end of the last ice age in order to better predict how they will cope with current changes to the climate. James Cook Univer
A new study on the effects of climate change in five tropical countries has found fisheries are in more trouble than agriculture, and poor people are in the most danger. Distinguished Profess
James Cook University researchers have found brightly coloured fish are becoming increasingly rare as coral declines, with the phenomenon likely to get worse in the future. Christopher Hemingson, a
Researchers working with stakeholders in the Great Barrier Reef region have come up with ideas on how groups responsible for looking after the reef can operate more effectively when the next bleaching
Abstract: As marine species adapt to climate change, their heat tolerance will likely be under strong selection. Individual variation in heat tolerance and its heritability underpin the potential fo
Abstract: The Reef Ecology Lab in KAUST’s Red Sea Research Center explores many aspects of movement ecology of marine organisms, ranging from adult migrations to intergenerational larval dispersal
Abstract: Macroalgal meadows are a prominent, yet often maligned component of the tropical seascape. Our work at Ningaloo reef in WA demonstrate that canopy forming macroalgae provide habitat for ad
Abstract: Sharks are generally perceived as strong and fearsome animals. With fossils dating back at least 420 million years, sharks are not only majestic top predators but they also outlived dinosa
Abstract: Connectivity plays a vital role in many ecosystems through its effects on fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes. Its consequences for populations and metapopulations have been
Abstract: Evolution of many eukaryotic organisms is affected by interactions with microbes. Microbial symbioses can ultimately reflect host’s diet, habitat range, and even body shape. However, how
Abstract: The past few years have seen unprecedented coral bleaching and mortality on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) but the consequences of this on biodiversity are not yet known. This talk will expl
Partner Research Institutions
