Electroporation Procedures for Genetic Modification of Green Algae (Chlorella spp.)

The green algae of Chlorella spp. are usually very small (about 3-6 μm), typically have solid and thick cell wall tissue; thus, neither the gene-gun method based on particle carrier nor the glass-bead transformation method is suitable enough. Selecting the proper, effective strategy has always attracted researcher's attention. Electroporation is currently the most widely used method for the transformation of algal species. The principle of electroporation is that the cell membrane produces tiny holes by high-voltage pulses, which lead to the introduction of exogenous DNA into cells. The method was proved by simple in principle and effective in introducing foreign genes in several Chlorella species.