The marine biosphere is well-endowed with symbioses. As one of the oldest multicellular animals, i.e. more than 600 million years old, marine sponges (phylum Porifera) probably represent one of the most complex symbioses on the earth. Corals (more than 400 million years old) also harbor abundant and diverse microbial symbionts. Marine microbial symbionts are suggested to play an important role in the host's chemical defense, nutrients and energy transfer as well as the marine elements transformation, and are important resources for marine natural products. Our research interests mainly focus on: 1. Community structure and functions of sponge/coral microbial symbionts. 2. Interaction of sponge/coral microbial symbionts to their hosts and environments. 3. Marine natural products and enzymes from sponge/coral microbial symbionts.
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