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Researchers and Staff
Cancer Center Update
April 18, 2005
Cancer Center Update is sent to Cancer Center members and staff every Tuesday at 10 a.m. To submit an item for publication, send the information to Sandi Sherman by noon the Friday before publication.
In This Issue:
Professional Education and Seminars
Grant Information & Announcements
There is no seminar scheduled due to the AACR meeting.
A peek at next week’s seminar:
Targeting tumors with genetically enhanced T lymphocytes
Michel Sadelain, M.D., Ph.D., Immunology Program , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Host: Bruce Blazar
For a complete schedule visit: http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/date.html
MESSAGE TO CANCER CENTER MEMBERS ABOUT CLIMB FOR THE CURE
Dear Cancer Center Members:
I am helping friends with a fundraising event that will benefit the Children's Cancer Research Fund. It is being held April 23rd at the Vertical Endeavors climbing gym in St Paul . I think it will be great for kids, so if your kids like to climb or would like to give it a try, this would be a way to have some fun and also contribute to a good organization. Adults can also register for the event. If you'd like more information, go to the Website: www.climbcure.com or contact Kathleen Conklin
(conkl001@umn.edu ). Thanks and hope to see some of you there.
Kathleen Conklin, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Development
"From Stem Cells to Jail Cells"
Lecture Series on Law, Health & the Life Sciences
Wednesday, April 20, 2005, 11:30am-1:00 p.m., Coffman Memorial Union , Mississippi Room
Prof. Alta Charo, JD, Wilson-Bascom Professor of Law and Bioethics, University of Wisconsin, former member of the NIH, Human Embryo Research Panel and the National Bioethics Advisory Commission
Commentary by:
Frank Cerra, M.D., University of Minnesota Senior Vice President, Academic Health Center
Bryan Dowd, Ph.D., Health Services Research & Policy
John Wagner, M.D., Director of Clinical Research, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program
JOIN THE FUN AT CLIPS FOR THE CURE FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR CANCER CENTER THIS FRIDAY
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak shaving the heads of several police officers and firefighters, and a rock concert headlined by the Honeydogs will be among activities at the Clips for a Cure, a free event being held this Friday, April 22 from 4-10 p.m. behind Coffman Memorial Union to benefit the Masonic Cancer Center .
Clips for a Cure is a registered student organization created by three university students for the sole purpose of holding an annual fundraiser for cancer research at the Masonic Cancer Center .
Paul Marker, Ph.D., and Sonja Johnson will speak on behalf of the Masonic Cancer Center at the event. Paul is an associate professor and member of the research teams in Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer and Cancer Progression and Metastasis programs. Sonja is a research assistant in the lab of Tucker LeBien, Ph.D., and a 24-year cancer survivor; she had ALL at age 3.
Other activities at the event will be various food vendors, a drawing for a trip to Europe , and a 5K run/walk throughout the campus. Come on by to enjoy the fun and support the efforts of the students for the Masonic Cancer Center.
CANCER CENTER DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HOSTS BREAST CANCER RESEARCH UPDATE RECEPTION
The Development Department is holding a Breast Cancer Research Update reception on Monday, May 2, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the University's Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR). Doug Yee, M.D., Breast Cancer Research Program Leader, and Michael Garwood, Ph.D., Associate Director, CMRR, will be discussing breast cancer research taking place at the Masonic Cancer Center and how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) is being used as part of this research. Tours of the center will be conducted throughout the event. If you have a friend or family member who may be interested in attending, please contact Rebecca Schubring at 612-625-5192 or r.schubring@mmf.umn.edu.
GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please call Kamala Upadhyaya at 626-5326 for assistance with your application.
Attention: The following grants require internal coordination. Please contact the Associate Dean for Research at 612-624-8486.
DORIS DUKE DISTINGUISHED CLINICAL SCIENTIST AWARD PROGRAM
Sponsor: Duke Charitable Foundation, Doris
Deadline: December 10, 2005
Internal coordination required. Any accredited U.S. medical school or other nonprofit research institution may nominate only one candidate in each of the following four disease areas: cardiovascular diseases, cancer, AIDS, and sickle cell anemia or other blood disorders.
The primary intent of this award is to provide support for a substantial portion of a distinguished investigator's efforts in translational clinical research and to provide funds to enable the physician-scientist to support and mentor the next generation of physician-scientists conducting translational clinical research. Awardees are expected to have had and continue to have an impact in their institution and in their research field in bridging the gap between bench science and clinical research, and in training a new generation of physician-scientists. Applicants must have received an M.D. or equivalent degree or an M.D. / Ph.D. from an accredited institution. Applicants must have a full-time university faculty appointment at the level of associate professor or its equivalent at the time of initiation of the award. Up to four awards of up to $1.5 million will be granted.
http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=50306
DORIS DUKE CLINICAL SCIENTIST DEVELOPMENT AWARD PROGRAM
Sponsor: Duke Charitable Foundation, Doris
Deadline: November 8, 2005
Internal coordination required. Institutions can nominate one research fellow and one junior faculty member in each disease area (AIDS, sickle cell anemia and other blood disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases) for a possible eight nominations (two in each disease area) for each institution. The purpose of the Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Award Program is to help prepare and support new investigators as they begin their careers as independent clinical researchers. During the initial funding cycle, the program is limited to the development of researchers in the areas that were of particular interest to Doris Duke: cardiovascular diseases, AIDS, cancer, and sickle cell anemia and other blood disorders. Experiments that utilize animals or primary tissues derived from animals will not be supported by this program. Physician-scientists conducting clinical research who have either completed one or more years of a full-time clinical research fellowship, or have been tenure-track faculty members at the assistant professor level or below for three years or less, are eligible to be nominated for this award. Applicants must have received an M.D. or equivalent degree or an M.D./Ph.D. from an accredited institution within the past 12 years. They must have completed two or more years of clinical training and one or more years of a full time research fellowship. Applicants must be working in a U.S. institution but they do not have to be U.S. citizens.
DDCF expects to fund up to 10 awards in this funding cycle. The total duration of the awards will not exceed five years. The award for clinical research fellowships will support up to two years at the fellowship level, and then can be transferred to a faculty level award for the following three years. During the fellowship period, the total award will be $65,000. Up to $50,000 can be used for salary and stipend support, and the remainder for fringe benefits, research support, and travel. Faculty level awardees will receive $100,000 per year in direct costs plus 8 percent for indirect costs. The award will be made for three years with the expectation that after the submission and review of a comprehensive progress report, the majority of awardees will be renewed for another two years, for a total of five years of support. If clinical research course work needs to be completed, up to $10,000 can be requested to cover tuition costs during the first year of the award. http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=27047
E.D. THOMAS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
Sponsor: Jose Carreras International Leukemia Foundation (FJCILF)
Deadline: October 15, 2005
Internal coordination required. Only one application will be considered from each institution.
The José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation was founded in 1988 by the internationally known tenor Jose Carreras. The goals of the foundation are to support research into the diagnosis, prevention, and cure of leukemia and related hematological malignancies. Candidates must hold an M.D. or Ph.D. degree and have completed at least three years of postdoctoral training but must be less than ten years from their first doctoral degree when the award begins. Candidates must be able to devote at least 80 percent of their time to the project and must have a sponsoring institution with the academic environment to provide adequate support for the proposed project. Initially, applications will be accepted for one fellowship to provide funding of US $50,000 for one year, renewable yearly for two additional years with satisfactory performance. Indirect costs are not to exceed 8 percent and salary is not to exceed US $35,000 including fringe benefits, with the remainder for supplies and equipment.
http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=80897
SPECIALIZED CENTER OF RESEARCH PROGRAM
Sponsor: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Deadline: November 1, 2005
Internal coordination required. In any given year, no more than one application can be submitted from an institution, including its affiliated entities.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has initiated a major program to increase the cure rate and prevention of leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The purpose of this initiative is to bring together research programs that are focused on any aspect of these diseases in order to foster interactions and cooperation, and to enhance interdisciplinary research among the participants. The center's maximal annual total cost, direct and indirect, cannot exceed $1,250,000. The aggregate costs over five years cannot exceed $6,250,000. The direct costs, if justified by the aggregate budget, may be up to $1,042,000 per year. The indirect or institutional costs cannot exceed 20 percent of the direct costs per year.
http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=45108
To view all grants available through the Masonic Cancer Center, visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/grantopp.html
Cancelled due to AACR meeting.
For a complete schedule visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/grant7.html
Monday, April 25, 2005, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Metachromatic Leukodystrophy and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
William Krivit, M.D., Ph.D ., Professor, Pediatrics. Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/bmtlect.html
Research Position Available Immediately : Full time Biological Sciences Laboratory Technician for an exciting research project investigating the role of cytokines, morphogens and proteoglycans in the maintenance of human hematopoietic stem cells. The work includes isolating and culturing hematopoietic stem cells, assaying stem cells in vitro and by transplantation into mice, performing biochemical and molecular techniques, general laboratory duties and maintenance, and other duties as assigned. The position will remain open until filled. Salary : Approx. $28,600 – $33,400 per annum (dependent on experience), negotiable. Excellent benefits. Free parking! Qualifications : College degree with relevant courses is required. Experience in any of the following areas is desirable but not required: stem cell isolation and culture, small animal experimentation, proteoglycan biochemistry or molecular biology. Contact or send resume to : Dr. Pankaj Gupta, Associate Professor of Medicine and Staff Physician, Hematology-Oncology Section 111E, VA Medical Center, Minneapolis , MN 55417 . Email: gupta013@umn.edu , Phone: 612-467-4135.
ON-LINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR CANCER CENTER SPRING POSTER SESSION AND SYMPOSIUM
Online registration is now open at http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/postsess.html for the Sixth Annual Spring Poster Session and Symposium sponsored by the Masonic Cancer Center Core Facilities. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., May 19, 2005. The schedule for the event includes oral presentations from 11 a.m. to noon followed by poster session and lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Students, staff, post-docs and PIs are invited to participate by presenting a poster. The deadline for submitting an abstract is April 29, 2005.
Due to the increasing number (and size!) of posters and the limited amount of display space, we have decided to display the first 35 abstracts/posters that are submitted in the Masonic Cancer Center atrium areas. Other posters will be displayed as space permits in other areas of the Masonic Cancer Center. All abstracts will be printed in the program booklet.
For more information, call Sue Fautsch at 5-6955 or send an email to fauts001@umn.edu.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR CANCER U: ASK THE EXPERTS SERIES
The final presentation for the spring Cancer U: Ask The Experts series, offered as a free community service by The Masonic Cancer Center is as follows:
• May 14: David Largaespada, Ph.D., and Paul Orchard, M.D., will explain what genetics have to do with cancer.
The program will be held from 9-11 a.m. in Room 450 at The Masonic Cancer Center. For more information and to register call 612-624-2620