Towards the development of a nuclear transformation system for Dunaliella tertiolecta

A nuclear transformation system for the microalga Dunaliella tertiolecta was explored using electroporation. Plasmids incorporating the D. tertiolecta RbcS1 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions flanking the Streptoalloteichus hindustanus gene encoding bleomycin resistance (ble) were introduced into D. tertiolecta cells both transiently and stably. Southern hybridisation was used to examine the fate of the plasmid following electroporation and revealed that the DNA was entering the cells but was quickly degraded. Using the same procedure one stably transformed line was recovered.