Culturing Diatoms

La Culture des diatomées

Daniel Vaulot (1) , Gust Bilcke (2) , Peter Chaerle (3) , Angela Falciatore (4) , Priscillia Gourvil (5, 6) , Michael W Lomas (7) , Ian Probert (5, 6) , Wim Vyverman (3)

1 ADMM - Adaptation et diversité en milieu marin
2 VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, B-9052, Belgium
3 BCCM/DCG, Lab. Protistology \& Aquatic Ecology, Krijgslaan 281 – S8, 9000 Gent, Belgium
4 Biologie du chloroplaste et perception de la lumière chez les micro-algues
5 FR2424 - Fédération de recherche de Roscoff
6 SBR - Station biologique de Roscoff = Roscoff Marine Station
7 National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, Maine, USA

In this chapter, we provide information on cultures of diatoms, starting with a brief introduction of the history of diatom culture collections. We present a synopsis of diatom strains currently available in culture collections and their representation in terms of habitat diversity, geographical distribution, phylogeny and taxonomic diversity. We outline the major techniques for isolating and cultivating diatoms and discuss the problems and possible strategies linked to diatom life cycles and habitat requirements. We provide an overview of available techniques for genetic transformation of diatoms and strategies for forward genetics. Finally, we summarize information and techniques available for long term preservation of diatom cultures, focusing on cryopreservation.

Keywords: Culture; Phytoplankton; Diatoms; Algae; Collection

Domains: Environmental Sciences

Daniel Vaulot, Gust Bilcke, Peter Chaerle, Angela Falciatore, Priscillia Gourvil, et al.. Culturing Diatoms. Johannes Goessling; Johann Lavaud; João Serôdio. Diatom Photosynthesis: From Primary Production to High Value Molecules, Wiley-Scrivener, inPress. ⟨hal-04000031v1⟩