The Coral Probiotics Village (CPV) is a pioneering underwater research laboratory designed to test, validate, and scale next-generation coral restoration technologies directly in their natural environment. Led by Prof. Raquel S. Peixoto (PI) and developed in collaboration with several KAUST principal investigators, the CPV represents a major advance in applied marine science and biotechnology for reef resilience.

The CPV is the first permanent underwater laboratory dedicated to in situ testing of microbial-based coral restoration tools. Established off the Saudi Arabian coast in the central Red Sea, it integrates coral nurseries, sensor networks, and monitoring systems to bridge laboratory innovation and ecological application. The site allows scientists to evaluate how Beneficial Microorganisms for Corals (BMCs) - or coral probiotics - enhance coral health, growth, and thermal resilience under real-world conditions.

Beyond its experimental role, the CPV serves as a living platform for innovation, combining AI-assisted reef monitoring, environmental sensors, and biotechnological trials. It enables long-term ecological research, risk assessment, and the refinement of assisted restoration tools that target the coral holobiont, including the host, its algal symbionts, and the other members of the associated microbiome.

Functioning as both a research hub and a model for replication worldwide, the CPV provides a blueprint for integrated, science-based reef restoration aligned with climate adaptation and conservation priorities.

The CPV was originally supported by KAUST’s Red Sea Research Center and multiple funding programs, and is now a key element of Blue KAUST, continuing to attract interdisciplinary collaborations across KAUST, national and global partners, reinforcing its position as a flagship model for resilient coral reef restoration.