In this study, we report on introducing the bacterial PHB pathway of R. eutropha H16 into the diatom
Phaeodactylum tricornutum, thereby demonstrating for the first time that PHB production is feasible in a microalgal
system. Expression of the bacterial enzymes was sufficient to result in PHB levels of up to 10.6% of algal dry weight. The
bioplastic accumulated in granule-like structures in the cytosol of the cells, as shown by light and electron microscopy.