Abstract

Diatoms are abundant unicellular microalgae that play a fundamental role in global aquatic ecosystems, producing bioactive secondary metabolites with different functions, from signalling to defence. They exhibit complex life cycles comprising distinct phases: active growth, quiescence state in some species (with the formation of spores or resting cells), and sexual reproduction. The transition to the quiescent state permits long-term persistence, allowing species to survive under unfavourable environmental conditions. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms governing the switch between growth and quiescent state remain largely unknown. Here, we present the first multi-timepoint sequencing of coding and non-coding RNAs during the formation of resting cells, induced by nitrogen depletion, in the marine diatom Thalassiosira gravida (valid name of Thalassiosira rotula). This dataset provides new omics data associated with the initiation and maintenance of the quiescent state, supporting further investigation of its underlying molecular pathways.