GenBank is a genomic library; it compiles DNA sequences for various species and individuals. The information is submitted by individuals in the science community, and is then shared with the public. While contributing authors may request that the sequencing remains confidential until after publication of journal articles, the information is eventually free and open to the public. Genomes of species that have been well described and are available include humans, cows, rabbits, zebrafish, honey bees, rice and yeast among many others (GenBank n.d.).
This information is useful for providing a template for designing primers for molecular analysis in DNA comparisons (Tsutsui et al. 2000). By sequencing and representing the whole genome in a digital form, researchers are able to identify useful parts of the genome for genetic markers or potential causes for phenotypic expressions.
GenBank. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved March 24th, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GenBank
Tsutsui, N. D., Suarez, A. V., Holway, D. A., & Case, T. J. (2000). Reduced genetic variation and the success of an invasive species. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 97(11), 5948-5953.