IU Researchers Tackle Antibiotic Resistance with Coral Corral and Award-Winning Startup
In the heart of Indiana University's Biology Building, a unique lab known as the 'coral corral' is dedicated to the fight against antibiotic resistance. Led by Associate Professor Julia van Kessel and her co-founder, Teaching Professor Laura Brown, this innovative setup educates students and the public about the global challenges facing coral reefs. The lab, established with National Science Foundation funding in 2022, houses a small but thriving coral colony that thrives in a carefully monitored saltwater tank.
The corals' delicate ecosystem is a key focus for van Kessel, who emphasizes the sensitivity of coral to environmental changes. From the stress of transportation to the pH levels of the water, every factor must be meticulously controlled to ensure the corals' survival. This sensitivity to their environment makes coral an ideal subject for studying disease, especially as oceans witness a mass coral reef die-off.
Van Kessel's research interests extend beyond the corals themselves. She co-founded Quornix, a startup exploring the fascinating world of quorum sensing in bacteria. Quorum sensing is the bacteria's method of communication, where they sense the presence of other bacteria through emitted small molecules. When enough of these molecules are detected, bacteria initiate infections, a process that Vibrio, a marine pathogen, exploits to infect coral, fish, shrimp, oysters, and even humans.
The Quornix team, including IU alumna Chelsea Simpson, the general manager and principal investigator, focuses on disrupting quorum sensing in Vibrio. By inhibiting their ability to communicate, they aim to treat or prevent infections without resorting to antibiotics. This approach is particularly promising for shrimp aquaculture, where Vibrio infections result in significant crop losses, costing the industry around $4 billion annually.
Quornix's innovative solutions have been recognized with the 2025 Cade Prize for Inventivity's environmental award and Grand Prize. The startup's success is further bolstered by collaborations with students from the Kelley School of Business, who provide valuable insights into business and marketing strategies. This symbiotic relationship between academia and industry highlights the power of interdisciplinary approaches in tackling complex global challenges.
