Bioinformatics Resources for the Brassica Species

Abstract

The science of Brassica genomics is now at an exciting stage with capillary-based BAC-by-BAC sequencing of the Brassica rapa gene-space, combined with the application of next generation sequencing technologies, opening up new possibilities to relate genome-wide variation to traits with unprecedented resolution and cost-effectiveness. We are at the real beginnings of the translation of the fundamental discoveries being made every day in the Arabidopsis model system to a group of closely related crop genomes of global economic importance. It is imperative that the appropriate bioinformatics resources to allow navigation between these genomes and also an integration of the emerging B. rapa genome sequence with the genetic maps that underpin trait analysis are put in place. In this chapter the current status and future prospects for these bioinformatics infrastructures will be discussed.