Coral reefs are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world due to rising water temperatures and ocean acidification, with coral being particularly vulnerable in the early planulae stage prior to attaching to a surface. A major challenge of growing coral colonies is that coral larvae are difficult to settle in strategic locations due to lack of knowledge about settlement cues. This project aims to produce an adhesive, chitosan-derived hydrogel to encapsulate coral larvae and deliver them to a strategic location on a surface to metamorphose into adult coral.
This project will also appear at the in-person showcase.