Highly Efficient Transformation of the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum by Multi-Pulse Electroporation

A highly efficient nuclear transformation method was established for the pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum using an electroporation system that drives multi-sequence pulses to introduce foreign DNAs into the cells. By optimizing pulse conditions, the diatom cells can be transformed without removing rigid silica-based cell walls, and high transformation efficiency (about 4,500 per 108 cells) is achieved.