From the discovery standpoint -- having a solid foundation to begin measuring genetic diversity and how the genes are organized -- this is a game-changer," said Saski, director of Clemson's Genomics and Computational Biology Laboratory. "With a genome map and genetically diverse populations, you can reveal the biology and DNA signature underlying cotton fiber development. Then you can use this information to breed cotton lines with advanced fiber elongation and fiber strength, which are crucial to the industry. This first draft of the genome sequence is a solid foundation for unlocking cotton's mysteries.