Edge of Knowledge

"Some of the corals here can withstand heat that the rest of the world can't handle,” says Dr. Edward Oldmeadow, Senior Director – Environmental Resilience & Assurance at RSG.

Corallium combines research laboratories, coral propagation facilities, immersive exhibits, and a 9-million-liter living reef display showcasing species native to the Red Sea.

"Corallium is considered the apex of any aquarium development globally right now," says Andrew Colin Clarke, Associate Director – Curator, Marine Life Operations, REEF.

"The Red Sea is amazing," says Dr. Edward Oldmeadow, Senior Director – Environmental Resilience & Assurance at RSG. "It has some of the most thermotolerant ecosystems in the world. Some of the corals here can withstand heat that the rest of the world can't handle."

Understanding what makes these reefs so resilient is a major focus of ongoing research by RSG and KAUST. Corallium Marine Life Institute is a new hub for this work on the Red Sea coast, bringing together research, conservation, education, and visitor experiences in a single destination.

Developed by RSG at AMAALA Marina, the institute is designed around the ecosystems of the Red Sea, creating opportunities to support scientific discovery while helping visitors better understand the marine environment.

Supporting many of these efforts is REEF, RSG's environmental services subsidiary, which delivers marine regeneration, environmental monitoring, and conservation programs across the company's destinations.

"Corallium is considered the apex of any aquarium development globally right now," says Andrew Colin Clarke, Associate Director – Curator, Marine Life Operations, REEF. "You're talking potentially the world's largest living indoor coral system."

The institute combines research laboratories, coral propagation facilities, immersive exhibits, and a 9-million-liter living reef display showcasing species native to the Red Sea. Visitors can experience marine habitats while also gaining insight into the science and conservation work taking place behind the scenes.

Among the most promising areas of applied research is microbial stewardship, a form of assisted restoration focusing on the microbiological characteristics of coral reefs and all the organisms that support reef health.

"Microbes are the invisible force driving everything on our planet, and we can use them as medicine," explains Professor Raquel Peixoto of KAUST. "What we want to see is that corals are healthier after we give them probiotics and they are exposed to any type of stress, including heat waves."

The concept is similar to how probiotics support human health, helping maintain balanced microbial communities that can contribute to resilience and recovery. "Everybody takes yogurt when they are sick, and they know they need to restore their gut microbiome," Raquel says. "So this is what we're doing for corals."

For many people, microbes are invisible and often overlooked, yet they play a fundamental role in every ecosystem. "These microbes are essential," Andrew explains. "They lay the groundwork for all of the larger processes that have to occur in any ecosystem."

This research reflects AMAALA's broader focus on wellbeing and its connection to environmental health. "Corallium being here within AMAALA, our wellness destination, is a perfect fit," Edward says. "Amal means hope in Arabic. Here we are providing hope and wellness for corals through a One Health model for the Red Sea and beyond."

Corallium also helps bring this science closer to the public. Through living habitats, educational programs, and opportunities to observe elements of the research process, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the ecosystems they are helping to protect. Guests can also participate in conservation-focused activities, reinforcing the idea that safeguarding the ocean is a shared responsibility.

"I think it's fascinating to have tourists joining the cause because it increases our capacity," Raquel says. "It's our planet, so we should all get together and protect it."

Long-term conservation is further supported through advanced biobanking initiatives. In simple terms, biobanking involves maintaining living collections that can support future research, restoration, and conservation efforts.

"Once we start filling these tanks with corals and fish and other organisms, they will work as a biobank, full of healthy life – a biodiversity insurance policy," Raquel explains.

These living collections will be complemented by programs that help preserve the microbial communities associated with coral health.

"The smart biobanking programs at Corallium will not only be living biobanks which contain corals," Edward says, "they will be linked to microbial vaults through affiliation with the International Union for Conservation of Nature."

For the team involved, the goal is simple: ensure future generations can continue to experience thriving reef ecosystems.

"If future generations are to enjoy exactly what we have," Andrew reflects, "it makes our work here at RSG that much more important."

As a center for learning, research, conservation, and discovery, Corallium brings scientists, conservationists, and visitors together around a shared purpose: protecting one of the world's most remarkable marine environments.

Understanding what makes the Red Sea’s coral so thermotolerant is a major focus of research at Corallium.

Corallium connects guests with groundbreaking research while contributing to a deeper understanding of coral reef resilience.

For the team involved, the goal is simple: ensure future generations can continue to experience thriving reef ecosystems.

"It's fascinating to have tourists joining the cause because it increases our capacity. It's our planet, so we should all get together and protect it."
Professor Raquel Peixoto, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)

Edge of Knowledge

In our latest episode with Warner Bros. Discovery, we explore how Red Sea Global (RSG) and research partners at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) are advancing coral conservation at Corallium Marine Life Institute, a landmark attraction at AMAALA.

Combining science, conservation, and visitor experiences, Corallium connects guests with groundbreaking research while contributing to a deeper understanding of coral reef resilience.