We are introducing a new design with this issue of Research Nebraska as a part of our continuing effort to make the magazine more informative and readable. Our magazine team is exploring other ways to enhance the information about Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources research that we share through the magazine so you may see other changes in the future.

While the magazine's new look is the most apparent change, another less noticeable change is in the magazine's editorship. Judy Nelson with IANR's Communications and Information Technology unit has served as editor for Research Nebraska since the first issue was published in June 1990. She recently assumed the duties of IANR marketing specialist and has turned over her magazine responsibilities to a new editing team.

Dan Moser and Vicki Miller of Communications and Information Technology are now co-editors of the magazine. Dan joined IANR in January as coordinator of News and Publishing. Vicki, longtime IANR science writer, is expanding her magazine responsibilities with this issue.

I wish to publicly thank Judy Nelson for her terrific service as the founding editor and welcome Dan and Vicki as co-editors.

Like the changes occurring in Research Nebraska, our research program continues to change to meet the needs of Nebraska.

As a result of a special appropriation from the Nebraska Legislature, we are greatly enhancing our research program in preharvest food safety in cattle relating to E.coli 0157:H7. This pathogen was responsible for the recall of 25 million pounds of ground beef from the Hudson Foods plant in Columbus during 1997.

Our research will focus on developing management techniques to minimize the level of the pathogen in feedlot cattle. We reported on some of IANR's E. coli research efforts in the April 1998 magazine and we'll update readers on new developments in future issues when results become available. Our scientists also are becoming involved with the national initiative on genome mapping in animals and crops. This effort is directed at identifying the genes responsible for economic traits in crops and livestock. Eventually, genome maps and an improved knowledge of genes will permit faster genetic improvement of crops and livestock by both conventional breeding and biotechnology.

One example of harnessing biotechnology and genetic research to build better crops for Nebraska is featured on pages 4 and 5 of this issue. IANR Molecular Biologist Amit Mitra and colleagues in plant pathology are working to insert genes into wheat that will help the plants fend off a broad range of viral diseases. Results of this promising research eventually could be incorporated into IANR's wheat breeding program to produce improved wheats that resist multiple viral diseases.

Another area of increasing importance is environmental toxicology. Several IANR scientists are developing methods to remediate soil and groundwater contaminated by nitrate or organic chemicals such as pesticides, solvents and explosives. Other scientists are studying mechanisms of pesticide transmission through the skin and developing procedures to minimize skin absorption.

Several of our entomologists have identified organophosphate insecticide resistance in adult corn rootworm population in central Nebraska and are developing techniques to ensure that European corn borers do not become resistant to Bt corn hybrids.

The rate of change in science keeps increasing each year, as do the needs of Nebraska citizens. Our Agricultural Research Division scientists are committed to adapting to this change and continuing to carry out our mission to provide new knowledge that benefits all Nebraskans.

Darrel W. Nelson
Dean and Director
Agriculture Research Division

Darrell Nelson