Mote Marine Laboratory's Coral Gene Bank works to preserve coral species

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06-03-2025

The Brief
Mote Marine Laboratory Coral Gene Bank is working to preserve coral species as they face threats from disease and warmer water temperatures. .
Scientists have been able to save coral like Elkhorn and Staghorn.
Officials say the Coral Gene Bank is one of the few organizations working to save coral species, which is important for conservation.
SARASOTA, Fla. - When you step through the doors of Mote Marine Laboratory's International Coral Gene Bank, you're a witness to lifesaving underwater work.
"Mote's International Coral Gene Bank is a Noah's Ark for coral species preservation," said Dr. Erinn Muller, the director of the gene bank.
"We are one of the few organizations around the world that is doing this. It's such an important infrastructure we can utilize for conservation," Muller said.
The backstory
During the unprecedented 2023 coral bleaching event, scientists with the gene bank were able to save the last known species of coral in the Dry Tortugas.
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"Some of the most important reef-building species, like the Elkhorn coral and the Staghorn coral, unfortunately, are very few and far between on the reef. Because of places like Mote's Gene Bank, we have all the genotypes preserved," said Muller.
Working with NOAA and the Department of Interior, the gene bank has branched out to deep-water aqua corals.These corals were harmed in the Gulf following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
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"This is a way to ensure all the species of coral in Florida are preserved and that their diversity is preserved so we can restore the reef in years to come," said Muller.
Dig deeper
To ensure their future, the gene bank uses technology called Cryopreservation to freeze coral sperm and create a genetic 'time capsule.'
"We will be focused on sexual propagation on these corals, creating thousands and thousands of babies so we can pump into the pipeline," Muller said.
Each coral saved and every one produced gives hope for the future of the Florida reef system.
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"This infrastructure and the people here really give me hope so we can recover Florida's coral reef in our lifetime," said Muller.
The Source
FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon collected the information in this story.
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