Genetic transformation system is very important for both basic biological research and commercial exploitation of diatoms. Here we describe a high-efficiency nuclear transformation method for the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum using an electroporation system, and the maximum transformation frequency obtained is about 3 × 10-5 cells. The described protocol also provides some clue for developing electroporation transformation system in other eukaryotic microalgae.
Keywords: Diatoms; Electroporation; Phaeodactylum tricornutum; Transformation.