A coral’s Swiss Army knife: The numerous powers of cilia
In black corals, cilia perform many functions, from ventilation to external and internal nutrient transport
Joint press release:
Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Warnemünde (IOW)
Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
An international research team led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen and the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) investigated how the shape of black corals influences the functions of their cilia. By combining an unusually comprehensive suite of imaging and microsensor techniques, the researchers were able to visualize both, water flow and oxygen transport, from individual cilia to entire coral fragments. They found that the cilia allow corals to create and direct the flow of water around and within them, thus optimising oxygen supply, feeding and internal transport. The study was recently published in Communications Biology.
Download full joint PDF press release by
Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW)
Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
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