Genomic insights into diatom evolution and metabolism

Abstract Diatoms are unicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes found throughout marine and freshwater environments (Round et al. 1990) and are estimated to generate up to 40% of primary production in the global ocean. The whole genome sequence of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana and the EST database from the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum have provided new insights into the evolution and metabolic capabilities of diatoms. In this Chapter we highlight unusual diatom features including the targeting of nuclear-encoded proteins to the plastid, formation of the silica-based frustule, and aspects of nitrogen and carbon assimilation.