A CRISPR/Cas9 system adapted for gene editing in marine algae

Marianne Nymark; Amit Kumar Sharma; Torfinn Sparstad; Atle M Bones; Per Winge

doi:10.1038/srep24951

A CRISPR/Cas9 system adapted for gene editing in marine algae

Sci Rep. 2016 Apr 25:6:24951. doi: 10.1038/srep24951.

Authors

Marianne Nymark¹, Amit Kumar Sharma¹, Torfinn Sparstad¹, Atle M Bones¹, Per Winge¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway.

Abstract

Here we report that the CRISPR/Cas9 technology can be used to efficiently generate stable targeted gene mutations in microalgae, using the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum as a model species. Our vector design opens for rapid and easy adaption of the construct to the target chosen. To screen for CRISPR/Cas9 mutants we employed high resolution melting based PCR assays, mutants were confirmed by sequencing and further validated by functional analyses.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aquatic Organisms / genetics*
CRISPR-Cas Systems*
Diatoms / genetics*
Gene Editing / methods*