Deheyn and Roth, 2009 YPO-SIO Innovation challenge: hyperspectral fluorescence analysis of corals

Hyperspectral fluorescence imaging of corals as a non-invasive assessment of coral reefs health (Deheyn and Roth, 2009 YPO-SIO Innovation Challenge)

Corals produce intense visible light sometimes of various colors, using fluorescent proteins. These FPs seem to play critical biological functions in corals, which might include protection against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the first biological reaction to harmful conditions of the surrounding environment, and its hyperspectral detection thus allows a quick non-invasive health status assessment of coral reefs. If monitored overtime, change in the hyperspectral fluorescence signature would then be early markers of stress for corals within a changing environment. Today, there are two challenges to address: first, there is the scientific challenge to correlate fluorescence signatures from corals to level of stress, which would serve as a reference scale; then, there is the technological challenge to develop an underwater Hyperspectral Fluorescence Imagery system, using the land-based models commercially available.

This video was made as an introduction to the 2009 YPO-SIO Innovation Challenge, by Deheyn and Roth, SIO

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Coral reefs
• fluorescence
• hyperspectral analysis
• non-invasive health assessment

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