Computational analysis of the effects of nitrogen source and sin1 knockout on biosilica morphology in the model diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana

Abstract Morphogenesis of the silica based cell walls diatoms, a large group microalgae, is paradigm for self-assembly complex 3D nano- and microscale patterned inorganic materials. In recent years, loss-of-function studies using genetic manipulation were successfully applied identification genes that guide morphogenesis in diatoms. These revealed loss one gene can affect multiple morphological parameters, changes be rather subtle being blurred by natural variations morphology even within same clone. Both factors severely hamper mutants subjective by-eye inspection electron micrographs. Here we have developed automated image analysis objectively quantifying ridge networks pore densities from numerous micrographs diatom biosilica. This study demonstrated differences network density diatoms growing on ammonium than nitrate as sole nitrogen source. Furthermore, it shortcomings previous evaluation biosilica phenotype silicanin-1 knockout mutant. We anticipate computational methods established present work will invaluable unraveling genotype–phenotype correlations morphogenesis.