2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): Jointly develop and manage a publicly accessible cotton database for the purpose of preserving and disseminating information that contributes to an increased understanding and improvement of cotton. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): A cotton database, developed and maintained by Mainlab Bioinformatics or other mutually acceptable organization, will be jointly managed and supported by Cotton Incorporated and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). All technical efforts involving the development and maintenance of the database will be the responsibility of the contracted organization. Cotton Incorporated and the ARS will jointly identify the data base needs of the research community, and determine the content and functionality of the database. Cotton Incorporated and the ARS will work with the research community to establish a committee whose role will be to assist in database oversight activities and provide guidance and feedback as to its content and functions. 3.Progress Report: This is a new project with the goal of jointly developing and managing a publicly accessible cotton database for the purpose of preserving and disseminating information that will contribute to an increased knowledge and improvement of cotton. In FY 2012, the transfer of information from the existing parent project maintained database (CottonDB) to the new CottonGen database was completed. A Steering Committee to provide input to CottonGen concerning the community's needs was created and the first meeting was held; parent project scientists serve on this committee. Work to increase access, functionality, and content of CottonGen is ongoing.