MAX Efficiency™ Transformation Reagent for Algae

Please see the following suggestions:

1. For best results, the algae need to be between 1 x 10e6 and 2 x 10e6 cells/mL (thus, an OD of 0.3-0.5). The concentration of the cells should not exceed 3 x 106 cells/mL. Cell growth can be measured by OD750 and the linear range will be between 0.2 and 1.2 (in 1 cm lightpass). If the OD is out of the linear range, please dilute the cells and measure again to get an accurate reading.
The formula is: cell number = (OD750 - 0.088)/9 million/mL
2. Transformation of linearized DNA is much more efficient (~70% more efficient) than transformation of circular DNA.
3. The quality and concentration of the DNA are critical to the transformation efficiency. You will want to use PureLink HQ, PureLink HiPure, or equivalent plasmid purification kits for pure DNA. It is better to have a small volume of concentrated pure DNA than a large volume of DNA of low concentration. (If you are transforming linearized plasmid, then after the linearization you will need to clean the plasmid up using either gel extraction or a PCR cleanup kit prior to transformation.) We recommend using 2 µg of linearized plasmid DNA per electroporation.
4. Insertion of the plasmid DNA into the genome occurs randomly. On average, only 20% of transformants will express the gene of interest at appreciable levels. We recommend first screening the colonies by colony PCR to ensure full integration of the promoter and gene of interest, followed by the screening of several positive clones for the expression of the gene of interest to pick the highest expressing clone.
5. Because the C. reinhardtii genome has a very high GC content (~62% GC), the expression levels of recombinant genes are significantly improved if the gene of interest is adapted to the preferred codon usage of highly expressed C. reinhardtii genes.
6. Since the transformation efficiency depends on the random integration of the construct into the genome, the results of the electroporation will depend on the nature of the gene of interest. You can try to transform the control vector that comes with the kit to confirm that the kit and their electroporation method are working correctly.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

We offer our MAX Efficiency Transformation Reagent for Algae (Cat. No. A24229). Eight different strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, CC1690, CC2935, CC1009, CC4414, CC118, CC536, WT137c, and CC3395 wall(-), were transformed using MAX Efficiency Transformation Reagent for Algae and with TAP/sucrose reagent by electroporation with higher transformation efficiency resulting from use of MAX Efficiency Transformation Reagent for Algae.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

The MAX Efficiency Transformation Reagent for Algae was developed for transforming the pChlamy_4 vector into the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii 137c cells by electroporation.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

The GeneArt Cryopreservation Kit for Algae was developed for preserving the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii 137c cells. We have reports from some customers who were successfully able to preserve other algae cells.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

It includes the pChlamy_4 vector. This vector has been tested for protein expression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii 137c . You can get the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii 137c cells from the Chlamydomonas Resource Center (http://www.chlamycollection.org/).

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.