Welcome

Ocean temperatures rise. Bleaching events spread. Reefs that took centuries to grow can collapse in a single heat wave.

Some species survive. They carry genetic traits that could be important for conservation.

That is the focus of the Buerger Lab in Marine Omics and Technology.

We use biotechnology, such as experimental evolution and comparative genomics, to understand how aquatic organisms adapt to new environments. Our research focuses on species that support tropical coastlines: corals, their symbiotic microalgae (Symbiodiniaceae), and mangroves. This work shows the genetic mechanisms of their resilience, and helps us find ways to support it. 

Our goal is to turn these genetic insights into practical tools for restoration and climate resilience.