Bioinformatics Tools and Genomic Resources Available in Understanding the Structure and Function of Gossypium

Gossypium spp. (Cotton) is the world’s most valuable natural fiber crop. Gossypium species’ variety makes them a good model for studying polyploid evolution and domestication. The past decade has seen a dramatic shift in the field of functional genomics from a theoretical idea to a well-established scientific discipline. Cotton functional genomics has the potential to expand our understanding of fundamental plant biology, allowing us to more effectively use genetic resources to enhance cotton fiber quality and yield, among with using genetic data to enhance germplasm. This chapter provides complete review of the latest techniques and resources for developing elite cotton genotypes and determining structure that have become accessible for developments in cotton functional genomics. Bioinformatics resources, including databases, software solutions and analytical tools, must be functionally understood in order to do this. Aside from GenBank and cotton specific databases like CottonGen, a wide range of tools for accessing and analyzing genetic and genomic information are also addressed. This chapter has addressed many forms of genetic and genomic data now accessible to the cotton community; fundamental bioinformatics sources related to cotton species; and with these techniques cotton researchers and scientists may use information to better understand cotton’s functions and structures.