Cheong Xin Chan

Heatwave winners and losers: cryptic coral holobionts differ in thermal tolerance

The paper examines thermal tolerance differences among cryptic coral taxa during a heatwave, finding that survival correlates with biological factors rather than environmental exposure.

RNAcentral in 2026: Genes and literature integration

RNAcentral integrates literature and gene-level data to enhance non-coding RNA sequence analysis and functional understanding.

A catastrophic marine mortality event caused by a complex algal bloom including the novel brevetoxin producer, Karenia cristata (Dinophyceae)

The paper identifies a novel brevetoxin-producing Karenia cristata causing a large marine mortality event in South Australia, with distinct toxin profiles compared to K. brevis.

Long-distance gene flow and contrasting population structures of reef-building corals and their algal symbionts inform adaptive potential across the Western Pacific

This study examines genetic connectivity and diversity of corals and their algal symbionts across the Western Pacific, revealing distinct population structures and adaptive potential.

Chromosomal inversions harbour excess mutational load in the coral, Acropora kenti, on the Great Barrier Reef

The paper identifies chromosomal inversions in Acropora kenti with excess mutational load, suggesting they are under balancing selection and may impact adaptation and genetic decline.

Whole-genome duplication in an algal symbiont bolsters coral heat tolerance

This study confirms whole-genome duplication in the algal symbiont Durusdinium trenchii and shows how lifestyle adaptations enhance coral thermotolerance.

Genome-wide transcriptome analysis reveals the diversity and function of long non-coding RNAs in dinoflagellates

The paper identifies and characterizes long non-coding RNAs in dinoflagellates, revealing their functional diversity and role in gene regulation under heat stress.

Massive genome reduction occurred prior to the origin of coral algal symbionts

The paper presents genome and transcriptome data from Effrenium voratum, showing genome reduction predates symbiosis in Symbiodiniaceae and highlights differences between free-living and symbiotic lineages.

Multi-omics analysis reveals the molecular response to heat stress in a "red tide" dinoflagellate

The paper presents a multi-omics analysis of Prorocentrum cordatum under heat stress, revealing RNA editing and exon usage regulation of biomolecules.

Intraspecies genomic divergence of coral algal symbionts shaped by gene duplication

The paper examines intraspecies genomic divergence in Symbiodiniaceae and Polarella glacialis, revealing greater sequence divergence and the role of gene duplication in functional innovation.

Improved Cladocopium goreaui genome assembly reveals features of a facultative coral symbiont and the complex evolutionary history of dinoflagellate genes

The paper presents an improved genome assembly of Cladocopium goreaui using long-read data, revealing structural features and a complex evolutionary history involving horizontal gene transfer.

Comparative genomics supports that Brazilian bioethanol Saccharomyces cerevisiae comprise a unified group of domesticated strains related to cachaca spirit yeasts

The paper compares genomes of Brazilian bioethanol Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to show they form a unified group related to cachaca spirit yeasts.

Genomes of Symbiodiniaceae reveal extensive sequence divergence but conserved functions at family and genus levels

The paper presents whole-genome comparisons of Symbiodiniaceae isolates, revealing extensive sequence divergence but conserved gene functions across species and genera.

Genomic adaptations to an endolithic lifestyle in the coral-associated alga Ostreobium

This study presents the Ostreobium nuclear genome and metatranscriptomic analysis to understand its adaptations to the coral skeleton environment and its role in coral holobiont dynamics.

Polarella glacialis genomes encode tandem repeats of single-exon genes with functions critical to adaptation of dinoflagellates

This study presents genome assemblies of Polarella glacialis, revealing a high proportion of single-exon genes and their role in cold adaptation.

Close relationships between coral-associated Chromera strains despite differences within the Symbiodiniaceae

The paper compares transcriptomes of Chromera and Symbiodiniaceae algae to assess their genetic relationships and thermal tolerance.

Evidence that inconsistent gene prediction can mislead analysis of algal genomes

The paper identifies methodological biases in gene prediction for algal genomes and shows how inconsistent approaches mislead comparative genomic analysis.

Structural rearrangements drive extensive genome divergence between symbiotic and free-living Symbiodinium

This study compares genome structures of symbiotic and free-living Symbiodinium species, finding extensive divergence and suggesting structural rearrangements contribute to lifestyle differences.

Benchmarking of alignment-free sequence comparison methods

This paper benchmarks alignment-free sequence comparison methods across five research applications and provides a web resource for evaluating and comparing these methods.

Transcriptomic insights into the establishment of coral-algal symbioses from the symbiont perspective

This study profiles the transcriptomic response of Symbiodiniaceae during coral-algal symbiosis establishment, revealing gene expression changes in the symbiont.

Symbiodinium genomes reveal adaptive evolution of functions related to symbiosis

The paper presents draft genomes of two Symbiodinium species and identifies genes under positive selection related to symbiosis functions.