Cotton Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.6, 290-299 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/cgg 297 also been found to have distinct spatial distribution characteristics. Especially those regions closely related to fiber initiation and elongation express genes, which provide a more intuitive understanding of the cellular differences and developmental rhythms behind fiber quality and yield. These data are not merely breakthroughs at the scientific research level; they are quietly transforming the way cotton is bred. Through gene expression maps with higher spatial resolution, researchers can identify those candidate genes, superior alleles and core regulatory networks that are highly expressed in the elongation region. Whether it is marker-assisted selection, genome editing, or more complex molecular breeding strategies, there is now a clearer "steering wheel". In other words, spatial information is becoming the navigation system for cotton improvement, making the enhancement of key properties such as length, strength and toughness more controllable and precise. Of course, the research is far from over. The existing spatial data mainly focus on a few varieties and specific developmental stages, while the influence of environmental differences and genotype diversity on fiber formation still needs to be further explored. To make these achievements truly serve production, more extensive data accumulation and cross-level integration are still needed. In the future, if spatial transcriptomics can be combined with information from epigenomics, proteomics and metabolomics, we may be able to understand the developmental logic of fibers more comprehensively. Meanwhile, higher-resolution technologies, more flexible computing models, and interdisciplinary collaborations will also determine how far this field can go. The complexity of cotton improvement will not decrease, but the tools are becoming increasingly sharp. Acknowledgments We are grateful to Dr. Wang and Dr. Long for their assistance with the data analysis and helpful discussions during the course of this research. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Asp M., Bergenstråhle J., and Lundeberg J., 2020, Spatially resolved transcriptomes: next generation tools for tissue exploration, BioEssays, 42(10): 1900221. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201900221 Bai F., and Scheffler J., 2024, Genetic and molecular regulation of cotton fiber initiation and elongation, Agronomy, 14(6): 1208. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061208 Chen C., Ge Y., and Lu L., 2023, Opportunities and challenges in the application of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics in plants, Frontiers in Plant Science, 14: 1185377. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1185377 Du J., Yang Y., An Z., Zhang M., Fu X., Huang Z., Yuan Y., and Hou J., 2023, Advances in spatial transcriptomics and related data analysis strategies, Journal of Translational Medicine, 21(1): 330. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-023-04150-2 Duan Y., Shang X., Wu R., Yu Y., He Q., Tian R., Li W., Zhu G., and Guo W., 2024, The transcription factor GhMYB4 represses lipid transfer and sucrose transporter genes and inhibits fiber cell elongation in cotton, Plant Physiology, 197(1): kiae637. https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiae637 Fang S., Chen B., Zhang Y., Sun H., Liu L., Liu S., Li Y., and Xu X., 2022, Computational approaches and challenges in spatial transcriptomics, Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics, 21(1): 24-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gpb.2022.10.001 Giacomello S., 2021, A new era for plant science: spatial single-cell transcriptomics, Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 60: 102041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbi.2021.102041 Grover C., Jareczek J., Swaminathan S., Lee Y., Howell A., Rani H., Arick M., Leach A., Miller E., Yang P., Hu G., Xiong X., Mallery E., Peterson D., Xie J., Haigler C., Zabotina O., Szymanski D., and Wendel J., 2024, A high-resolution model of gene expression during Gossypium hirsutum (cotton) fiber development, BMC Genomics, 26(1): 221. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11360-z He P., Zhu L., Zhou X., Fu X., Zhang Y., Zhao P., Jiang B., Wang H., and Xiao G., 2024, Gibberellin acid promotes single-celled fiber elongation through the activation of two signaling cascades in cotton, Developmental Cell, 59(6): 723-739, e4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2024.01.018
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