A newly published review article showcases pioneering research on pH regulation in reef-building corals by the Coral Physiology Team at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM).
Authors Drs Alexander Venn, Eric Tambutté, Lucas Crovetto and CSM Scientific Director Dr Sylvie Tambutté were invited to publish the article part of a prestigious series of review papers in the Journal ‘New Phytologist’ in memory of Sir Arthur George Tansley (1871–1955) a pioneering ecologist best known for coining the term "ecosystem" who helped to establish ecology as a scientific discipline.
The review highlights how corals maintain highly regulated internal pH environments critical to their survival. It describes how pH regulation underpins both coral photosymbiosis and calcification and mediates the flow of energy and carbon between symbionts and host tissues, helping us understand the basis to coral resilience in a changing climate.
Importantly, the review outlines major research priorities for the future, which will serve as central pillars for the Marine Biology Department at CSM as it continues to lead research into the mechanisms that support coral health and survival.
Article :
Venn A.A., Tambutté E., Crovetto L., Tambutté S. pH regulation in coral photosymbiosis and calcification: a compartmental perspective. New Phytologist, Mai 2025, doi:10.1111/nph.70200
For more information, please contact :
Dr Alexander Venn
Dr Sylvie Tambutté
New Review Highlights Groundbreaking Coral Research at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco
First page of the review by the CSM Coral Physiology Team in the journal New Phytologist. © New Phytologist Foundation.
A coral cell containing the pH sensitive dye SNARF-1 and 4 intracellular symbiotic dinoflagellate algae (green). © Alexander Venn/CSM.
Coral calicoblastic cells responsible for building the coral skeleton shown in yellow. New skeletal crystals shown in grey. © Alexander Venn/CSM.