SCALABLE
CORAL REEF RESTORATION
ABOUT
The Azul Bio Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the world's coral reefs. Our team is committed to leveraging innovative biotechnologies to address the challenges facing marine ecosystems.
Our Approach
Much like our gut microbiomes, the health and productivity of marine environments depends on hundreds of trillions of microbes that live throughout the water column and symbiotically with larger marine organisms.
We leverage these natural microbial communities to create custom microbial-based treatments for coral, called live biotherapeutics, that can enhance coral resistance to climate change, marine diseases, and pollution.
Live Biotherapeutics for Coral
An entirely new way to save coral reefs
Rising ocean temperatures has wiped out 50% of coral reefs in the last 30 years, and projections show that 90% will be gone by 2050. This widespread coral loss will have devastating economic consequences, as reefs generate $375 billion annually through commercial fishing, tourism, and coastal protection.
Live biotherapeutics applied to coral reefs have proven to reduce heat-induced bleaching and mortality. We use endemic microbial species in our live biotherapeutics to ensure treatments are effective and safe for local environments. These treatments are faster and cheaper compared to traditional restoration approaches. They can also be deployed at scale thereby protecting corals in nurseries on land or in the ocean, as well as at large-scale on natural reefs. Our tailored live biotherapeutics will provide the helping hand coral reefs need to adapt to our warming oceans.
OUR SERVICES
Coral Biotherapeutic Treatment
We offer live biotherapeutics treatments to select regions. This service consists of a trained dive team that apply the treatment onto target coral reef. Alternatively, the live biotherapeutic can be directly supplied for the client for use on coral nurseries or wild reef. Once applied to coral, it only takes a few days for the treatment to change coral physiology, increasing cellular repair, stress protection, immune response, and other traits that provide significant protection from environmental threats.
Rapid Biotherapeutic Development
Coral reefs are diverse and face unique threats. Through cutting-edge culturing methods and high-throughput technologies, we can rapidly assemble and evaluate new live biotherapeutics for coral that are tailored for local coral reef ecosystems. Our live biotherapeutics are embedded in a biodegradable material which slowly releases the treatment shortly after contact with coral tissue.
Marine Genomics and Microbiome Analysis
We offer end-to-end genomic and microbiome analysis services for corals and their ecosystems in both aquariums and the wild. Everything from eDNA-based coral reef biodiversity assessment, coral genotyping, microbiome profiling, and cryostorage for gene bank coral. These services provide vital data and insights for reef monitoring, disease diagnostics, coral aquaculture, and marine research.
OUR IMPACT
4
170k+
8
10+
Treatment Projects
Microbial Species Discovered
Community Partnerships
Recognition & Awards
OUR PROJECTS
CONTACT US
Inquiries
For any service inquiries, questions, or contributions, please contact us using the form below.
Careers
Join us in our mission to protect and restore coral reefs. Get in touch with our team to learn more about open positions.