The size of the genome of Ectocarpus siliculosus has been estimated to be 214 Mb. Whole genome random shotgun sequencing will be carried out by Genoscope with a coverage of 10 genome equivalents, for a volume of 4 300 000 reads using several plasmid libraries constructed at Genoscope with 3 and 10 kb inserts.

In parallel, Genoscope will sequence 100 000 cDNAs from libraries constructed at different stages of the life cycle: young and mature sporophytes, young gametophytes and protoplasts.