As ocean temperatures rise due to climate change, coral reefs are facing challenges, but there is a bright side! The Convention on Biological Diversity highlights the urgency of protecting these vibrant ecosystems, which have lost over 50% of their corals in the past three decades. While the figures may seem daunting, the resilience of corals and the dedication of scientists bring hope for a positive change.

In the last ten years alone, there has been a 14% decline in live coral cover. However, marine biologist Daniel Wangpraseurt from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography has a proactive approach. He expresses an inspiring sentiment, stating, “I’m over hearing that corals are dying — I’m more interested in what we can do about it.” Wangpraseurt and his team are committed to combining marine biology, physics, and bioengineering to create innovative solutions for coral restoration.

Their latest breakthrough, developed in collaboration with the Jacobs School of Engineering, is an exciting gel known as SNAP-X. This gel offers a promising method to help repopulate coral reefs. Coral larvae are discerning when choosing where to settle, relying on chemical cues in the water associated with healthy reefs. The researchers have crafted a gel that slowly releases these preferred “smells,” guiding the larvae to suitable habitats.

Wangpraseurt explains, “Corals are animals, and their larvae are selective about where they are going to attach because once they do, they’re stuck there.” With SNAP-X, the team has created a material that emits chemical signals, encouraging coral larvae to choose it as their new home.

Restoring coral reefs often involves overcoming the challenge of encouraging larvae to settle on damaged reefs or artificial structures that lack familiar scents. The gel represents a significant advancement in this process. Researchers have known that certain types of algae can release chemicals that attract corals, but translating this knowledge into a practical application has been challenging.

Samapti Kundu, a postdoctoral researcher on the project, emphasizes the importance of developing a system that can release these settlement cues over time. The team ingeniously created a gel that solidifies when exposed to UV light, allowing it to be applied to various surfaces.

In lab experiments, the application of SNAP-X led to an impressive increase in coral larvae settlement by up to 20 times compared to untreated surfaces. This gel releases attracting chemicals for up to a month, giving coral restoration experts the chance to synchronize its application with coral spawning events. Wangpraseurt views this development as a significant milestone, stating, “I think this material is a breakthrough that can hopefully make a big contribution to coral restoration.”

The research, published in Trends in Biotechnology, underscores the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex environmental challenges. “Biomedical scientists have spent a lot of time developing nanomaterials as drug carriers, and here we were able to apply some of that knowledge to marine restoration,” Wangpraseurt explains.

Currently, the study focuses on the Hawaiian stony coral species Montipora capitata, but the team is eager to explore how SNAP-X can benefit corals from various regions. They envision customizing the gel with local algae to further enhance its effectiveness.

Moreover, Kundu and Wangpraseurt are collaborating with a startup called Hybrid Reef Solutions to ensure their innovations have a meaningful impact. Wangpraseurt emphasizes the importance of balancing research with practical applications, saying, “We want these materials to be used and have a big impact.”

Their enthusiasm for the future is palpable as they continue to work towards the restoration and preservation of coral reefs, contributing to a healthier ocean ecosystem that can thrive for generations to come.