The Global Coral Microbiome Project video series traces the efforts of the Rebecca Vega Thurber Lab at Oregon State University, along with coral researchers around the world, as they gather data for their NSF-funded project to map the microbiome of corals globally. 

Part 1: Great Barrier Reef

The first installment of the Global Coral Microbiome Project video series takes us to Australia's Great Barrier Reef prior to the dramatic 2016 bleaching events. Based on remote Lizard Island, researchers gather samples from the world's largest barrier reef. The episode introduces the project and shares the research process, as well as discusses issues facing the GBR. 

Part 2: Red Sea

Scientists from the Global Coral Microbiome Project travel to Saudi Arabia in the next video in the series. They gather data to examine the underlying causes of coral disease at a critical time for this vanishing ecosystem. Based in the Reef Genomics Lab at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) on the Red Sea coast, the researchers explore the warmer and high-saline waters, which offer a potential future ocean scenario for reefs globally.

Part 3: Colombia

In this episode, scientists learn of a flourishing reef discovered in the least likely location, Cartagena Bay, Colombia. The communities that live on the edges of this reef depend on it for their daily survival. While scientists strive to learn the secrets of this reefs durability, a new, greater threat looms on the horizon.

Part 4: Mo'orea

Our research team traveled to French Polynesia to explore the interaction between coral reefs and humans, as local fishermen struggle to adjust to changing conditions, while fighting to save their traditional practices.

Part 5: Hawai'i

This final segment takes our team to O'ahu, for the International Coral Reef Symposium, and to gather samples for their project. We also explore the cultural importance of coral reefs to traditional Hawai'ian communities and interview researchers for final notes on the overall success and impact of the Global Coral Microbiome Project.