Transformation of Ettlia oleoabundans, a potential biofuel alga.

The microalgae Ettlia oleoabundans produces up to 80% of its dry weight in triacylglycerols and is a prime candidate for biodiesel production. This study explores methods for transformation of E. oleoabundans by electroporation. Both the antibiotics hygromycin and spectinomycin were effective for transformant selection. First apparent successful production of E. oleoabundans protoplasts was achieved. Because this species produces nearly wall-less zoospores during its life cycle, synchronization was attempted using light/dark cycling and nitrate starvation to increase concentrations of zoospores to improve transformation