Albany, N.Y. (WNYT) – Behind the doors of Capital Coral on Colvin Avenue in Albany lies a colorful room full of hundreds of different types of coral.

It’s part retail store, part aquaculture farm, and part coral research lab.

“We are a research facility, which means two main directions that we focus on there is in biotechnology development, so using coral products for human benefit,” said Dr. Michael Gerdes. “And then the other is in actually doing research that’s going to help us hopefully keep corals alive in our changing environment.”

They have about 500 different types of coral.

“I think the living stock collection is super important, just to maintain the diversity of species,” said Chief Coral Scientist Eric Borneman, who has written books on coral. “Many are being put on threatened or endangered species lists now. And I think the living stock collection, especially if coupled with field efforts, can really enhance the conservation of coral reefs.”

To support the operation, there’s the store. They sell corals.

“We propagate them here in house and customers that keep corals and salt water fish at home can actually come here and shop and pick out coral,” said Dr. Gerdes.

They do high school student tours here and there are typically about five college students doing research.

“I’m a student researcher here,” said UAlbany senior Omar Gulmohamad. “I’ve been at Capital Corals for about two years now. I look at corals from a bio-technology angle and I’m also looking at them from a restoration angle. I’m focusing more on restoration now.”

These corals may have some secrets to tell from their watery home in Albany, New York.