KAUST researchers discover coral can develop immune-like memory

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have demonstrated that coral can be trained to enhance its resistance to diseases, a discovery that offers new methods for protecting coral reefs globally. The study, published in the journal ISME Host Microbe, revealed that coral exposed to non-lethal doses or inactive forms of a pathogen became more resilient when facing the same pathogen later.

This phenomenon, known as "pathogen priming," functions similarly to how vaccines prepare a biological immune system to recognize future threats. While corals lack the adaptive immune systems found in humans and other vertebrates, this research provides the first evidence of a protective response resembling immune memory. The study noted that the protective effect extends to the coral's microbiome, the community of microorganisms essential to its health.

The findings are particularly significant as rising ocean temperatures and environmental stressors increase the frequency and severity of coral diseases. The research team, which conducted the study on Red Sea coral, is currently applying for a patent for the pathogen priming technique. If proven effective across more species, the method could be used in coral nurseries and reef restoration programs to proactively defend marine ecosystems.