I. FOREWORD

"The research newsletter is particularly suitable for information not usually suitable for scientific journals: continuing updating of gene symbols and nomenclature, location of mutants, strains and stocks ... Short technical notes, short research findings, observations, new ideas and compilations of data are also suitable."

--H. V. Wyatt, Research Newsletters in the Life Sciences: their scope, advantages and future, 1986.

By sharing our technical data, short notes, short findings, observations, compilations and new ideas here, we contribute to the advancement of biology and to the power of shared technical knowledge. We have known the advantages of a newsletter for more than a few years, and the expanding impact of Zea genetics in plant biology is legendary. The information here is shared with the specific understanding that it is unpublished information, not to be cited in publications without the consent of the authors.

Notes for the next issue (Number 63, 1989) should be in my hands by January 1, 1989. Short, informal notes including explicit data are preferable to narratives, rationales, references, and elaborate interpretations. Text of the note should communicate simply and efficiently, and should be doublespaced for editing. Tables, Figures and Charts must be compact, ready for direct copying by the camera. Electronic versions on floppy disk should be supplied if possible.

Subscription to the News Letter (or change of address) can be initiated with the form in the back of this issue. Gifts and lifetime subscriptions are being received to underwrite costs to the extent possible. Subscription letters and letters requesting gifts were sent so recently that at press time many potential respondents may not have received a letter. Consequently the list of donors is limited to the earliest recipients and earliest respondents; we are all grateful for the support of our colleagues, and of organizations with which we have common interests.

Dave Hoisington assembled and developed the impressive gene list and linkage maps in this issue, using his knack for encompassing the status of each research area. His advice and ideas for the News Letter, and many computer trickeries, make all the editing work feasible.

Shirley Kowalewski, Lou Martin Butler, Sherri Harris, Susan O'Dell and Mary Brazil skillfully edited and refined the copy and the proofs, kept office tasks in order, and helped in screening the literature. Kathy Chappell, Chris Browne and Mary Ann Steyaert helped with many vital tasks. Bryan Bailey, Jack Beckett, Chang-deok Han, Scott Johnson, G. Madhavi Reddy, and Allen Wright proofed copy and gave other aid. At University Printing Services, Yvonne Ball and Dale Kennedy and their staff again efficiently and carefully made sure that the job was done promptly and well.

Chloroplast maps, generously volunteered and impressively prepared by Steven Rodermel and Lawrence Bogorad, are included this year. For mitochondria, according to David Lonsdale, no new update is warranted, but please see the proposed nomenclature for mitochondria offered by David Lonsdale and Christopher Leaver; evaluations and comments are invited.

Ed Coe