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“Unity is strength”. This proverb is probably much older than previously thought. Corals applied this principle millions years ago through their association with zooxanthellae to provide the energy needed to build coral reefs. The deal is simple: the coral plays host to the zooxanthellae, thereby providing physical protection and, in exchange the algae provide sugars, amino acids and lipids to the corals through photosynthesis. Although this symbiotic relationship was described long ago, large gaps persist in our understanding of the cellular mechanisms ensuring peace in the household. These issues are of paramount importance since the climate changes has taught us that the coral-zooxanthellae relationship, believed to be stable, may be disrupted, resulting in bleaching events observed throughout the world, and even in our aquariums.
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