Thermal transcriptome of Phaeodactylum tricornutum in response to gradual heat stress

Here we use a transcriptomic approach to investigate the molecular underpinnings of thermal stress in the model diatom species Phaeodactylum tricornutum. We expose cultures to high temperature (optimal +8°C) and follow changes in gene expression through time (over a 12 hour period) in comparison to optimal conditions (20 °C). Overall design: Cultures (n=4) of Phaeodactylum tricornutum were grown for more than 10 generations at optimal temperature conditions of 20 °C. Each culture was split to form a Control (maintained at 20 °C) and Treatment (subjected to 28 °C ). Both the control and treatments were sampled every hour creating a time series of 12 equally spaced time points. Cells were harvested by filtering at least 50 mL on to a polycarbonate membrane and flash freezing in liquid nitrogen.