Prof. Aranda's main research interests lie in the development of functional genetic tools for reef-building corals and other cnidarian model organisms that will allow the systematic analysis of the molecular processes governing symbiosis and coral bleaching. The coral-algal symbiosis hereby serves as a model system to address questions regarding the molecular basis of symbiosis in order to extend our knowledge on the mechanisms and factors determining the nature of symbiotic relationships i.e. mutualistic, commensalistic or parasitic. The central part of this research is the elucidation of the function of key proteins involved in the initiation, maintenance, and breakdown of the symbiotic relationship in both partners.