Q12058804

Thalassiosira is a genus of centric diatoms, comprising over 100 marine and freshwater species. It is a diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotes that make up a vital part of marine and freshwater ecosystems, in which they are key primary producers and essential for carbon cycling.

Thalassiosira is a diverse genus, however one species within the genus, T. pseudonana, has gained particular significance as the first marine phytoplankton to have its genome sequenced. T. pseudonana has since become a key model organism for studying diatom physiology. The T. pseudonana genome revealed novel genes for intracellular trafficking and metabolism in diatoms. This species was again used to develop methods for genetic manipulation of diatoms and for the study of silica biomineralization.