Time course transcriptomics of the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Four strains of the model diatom species Phaeodactylum tricornutum were monitored over the course of a growth cycle to assess transcriptomic changes. These strains are wild-type P. tricornutum ; a strain with a knock out to the gene Phatr3_J47612, a protein found to be highly secreted by P. tricornutum and likely involved in phosphate scavenging; a strain carrying a plasmid that expresses the Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein; and a histidine auxotroph with a knock out to the gene Phatr3_J3140, an enzyme involved in the histidine biosynthesis pathway, that is complemented by a plasmid expressing a copy of this knocked out gene as well the RBD. Gene expression was assessed in stationary-phase cultures prior to dilution in fresh media, then monitored on days 4, 10, and 17 of growth, in order to assess how growth stage and nutrient availability over time effects the expression levels of genes.