We established a high-efficiency nuclear transformation method for the diatom 
Phaeodactylum tricornutum using an electroporation system. Based on a universal 
electroporation protocol, the conditions for the introduction of exogenous DNA 
including electric field strength and plasmid form were optimized. Following 
optimization, the diatom cells could be transformed with exogenous gene easily, 
the maximum transformation frequency obtained was 2.8×10(-5) cells. The 
cotransformation of P. tricornutum with a non-selective GUS gene together with 
the selectable resistance gene has also been achieved using our new method and 
found to be very efficient (up to 60%). The electroporation procedure described 
in this article offers a number of advantages, including simplicity, general 
utility, low-cost and high efficiency. The described method also provides some 
clue for developing electroporation transformation system in other eukaryotic 
microalgae.