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Researchers and Staff
Cancer Center Update
May 2, 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
Chemically assisted screen identifies novel angiogenic mutations in the zebrafish
Joanne Chan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Program in Vascular Biology, Children's Hospital, Karp Family Research Laboratories
Host: Steve Ekker
A peek at next week’s seminar:
Notch signaling at the interface of lymphoid development and cancer
Warren Pear, M.D., Ph.D.,Associate Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine , Institute for Medicine and Engineering , Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia
Host: Catherine Verfaillie
For a complete schedule visit: http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/date.html
CANCER PLAN MINNESOTA UNVEILED, CANCER CENTER HAS KEY ROLE
After nearly two years of planning, community meetings and in-depth study involving more than 300 health care professionals and community leaders, Minnesota’s first plan to coordinate cancer control and prevention activities in the state was announced last week.
The plan is titled Cancer Plan Minnesota 2005-2010: Recommendations for policymakers, planners, providers and advocates. The four areas of action for the first year of the plan include:
• Reduce smoking by advocating for increased state taxes on cigarettes and expanded smoke-free workplace laws.
• Reduce racial disparities by expanding cancer screening and treatment for racial minorities to reduce the high incidences of lung, colon, prostate and other cancers.
• Reduce colon cancer by increased emphasis on screening to detect cancer early when it can be prevented or treated.
• Increase information by creating an interactive website so that Minnesotans can more easily find out about services and support programs.
Several Cancer Center members played key roles in developing this plan: DeAnn Lazovich, Ph.D., served on the steering committee and co-chaired the Prevention Work Group; Nancy Baxter, M.D., Ph.D., co-chaired the Early Detection Work Group; and Bruce Peterson, M.D., co-chaired the Treatment Work Group. In addition, the following Cancer Center members served on work groups: DeAnn Lazovich, Ph.D., and Beth Virnig, Ph.D., M.P.H., Data Review Committee; Marva Bohen, M.S., R.N. and Janet Smith Yee, Disparities Committee; Andrew Flood, Ph.D., Deb Hennrikus, Ph.D., and Phyllis Pirie, Ph.D., Prevention Work Group; Ann Mertens, Ph.D., Survivorship Work Group; Timothy Church, Ph.D., Resa Jones, M.P.H., and Mark Yeazel, M.D., Early Detection Work Group; and Beth Virnig, Ph.D., M.P.H., Treatment Work Group. The Masonic Cancer Center also was part of a resolution to support the Cancer Plan, and John Kersey, M.D., spoke at the appreciation event for people who developed the plan.
ROSS NOTED IN PIONEER PRESS
Julie Ross, Ph.D., Cancer Center member and Associate Professor of Epidemiology, was cited in an article in the Pioneer Press about the $2.6 million grant she recently received from the National Cancer Institute to lead a five-year study that will aim to determine why adult myeloid leukemia is more common in Minnesota than the rest of the nation.
THE 14th ANNUAL MARK E. NESBIT LECTURESHIP IN PEDIATRIAC ONCOLOGY
Friday, May 6, 2005, 12:00 Noon, 450 Cancer Center Research Building
“From Ewing to Nesbit and Beyond”
Sir Alan William Craft, M.D., Professor of Pediatric Oncology, Sir James Spence Professor of Child Health, Chairman, Department of Child Health, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
This lecture is sponsored by the Children's Cancer Research Fund and the Mark E. Nesbit Lectureship Fund
CENTER FOR DRUG DESIGN TO HOLD GRANT OPENING SYMPOSIUM MAY 17
The Center for Drug Design at the University of Minnesota is hosting a grand opening celebration and mini-symposium at the McNamara Alumni Center , 200 Oak Street S.E. , on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The theme of the event is "Drugs and Delivery: Designs for This Millennium". Featured speakers include: Ronald Breslow, Ph.D., Columbia University ; Sidney Pestka, M.D., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School ; and John A. Secrist III, Ph.D., Southern Research Institute. Lunch will be provided. A wine and cheese reception will take place at the Center following the symposium, and tours will also be available. This event is free and open to the public, although space is limited. Please reply to dunkl011@umn.edu by May 13 to guarantee a seat. More information is available at www.cdd.umn.edu .
ENGEBRETSON SYMPOSIUM ON DRUG DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT IN CANCER TO BE HELD JUNE 9
The 2005 Engebretson Symposium on Drug Discovery and Development In Cancer Experimental Therapeutics will be held on June 9, 2005. The symposium is free but advanced registration is required and space is limited. A registration form is available at http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/docs/Eng_Reg.pdf . The agenda is also available for download at http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/docs/Eng_Agenda.pdf .
MARSHALL FIELDS GLAMORAMA TO BENEFIT CHILDREN'S CANCER RESEARCH FUND
Friday, August 5, 2005, 7:30 p.m., Historic State Theatre
For ticket information contact Mary Schultze @ 6.2961 or schul032@umn.edu .
STEM CELL WORKSHOP TO BE HELD JULY 23
Cancer Center members will be among the presenters at the Stem Cell Workshop sponsored by the Society for Cryobiology, Biomedical Engineering Institute and Department of Mechanical Engineering
The goals of the workshop are to:
• Review the present understanding of stem cell biology, plasticity as well as clinical and preclinical applications of stem cells.
• Contrast and compare adult stem cells with hematopoietic and embryonic.
• Provide background on processing of stem cells for human therapeutic applications.
• Review the current understanding of stem cell preservation.
• Summarize the opportunities and challenges for stem cell-based therapies.
Information and registration materials can be found at http://www.me.umn.edu/events/cryo2005/stemcell.html .
The Academic Health Center newsletter reports that travel awards are available to female graduate students engaged in scientific research. The funds may be used for travel expenses and registration fees, not for room and board. The usual award is in the range of $200 to $300. For more information, contact Katherine E. Himes at hime0005@umn.edu.
GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please call Kamala Upadhyaya at 626-5326 for assistance with your application.
COS FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Community of Science® (COS) is an up-to-date database of announcements for grants, fellowships, awards and more from around the world. Access to this database is limited by membership and therefore the following URLs will only work from a University of MN computer. If you are unable to access a computer that is on the University server please contact Roxy McCann via email doni0007@umn.edu , include the title of the funding opportunity that you are interested in and the COS URL associated with it.
MMRF COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM GRANT
Sponsor: Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
Deadline: June 15, 2005; September 15, 2005
The purpose of this initiative is to bring together research programs that are focused on any aspect of the disease in order to foster interactions, cooperation, and to enhance interdisciplinary research among the participants. The Collaborative Program Grant will also support scientific core laboratories required by the component research programs, so as to provide access to key high technology to support facilities that might not otherwise be available to individual research programs. The most promising ideas and the likelihood of a significant impact on the morbidity and mortality of myeloma will be viewed favorably regardless of the particular approach. The MMRF wants these awards to accelerate discovery and impact the search for a cure for multiple myeloma.
The program's maximum annual total cost, direct and indirect, cannot exceed $500,000. The aggregate costs over three years cannot exceed $1.5 million.
http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=61315
KOMEN FOUNDATION POPULATION SPECIFIC RESEARCH PROJECTS
Sponsor: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Deadline: August 2, 2005
The Komen Foundation is currently accepting applications for innovative projects studying the epidemiology of breast cancer within specific populations at risk for the disease. The focus of the program is research to identify unique needs, trends, barriers, and solutions to breast health care among populations such as African American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, Hispanic/Latina, Native American, Lesbian, Low Literacy, and other defined communities. Areas of interest include cancer prevention and control; behavioral science research; epidemiology; and health service delivery programs. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate collaboration with a community-based organization. Only one application per principal investigator will be allowed. A maximum of $250,000 (combined direct and indirect costs) may be requested for the two-year period. Indirect costs are allowed but may not exceed 25 percent of the requested direct costs (or a maximum of $50,000). Equipment purchases will be allowed only if they are project specific (used only on this project) and the cost does not exceed 30 percent of the requested direct costs.
http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=28098
KOMEN FOUNDATION BASIC, CLINICAL, AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH GRANT
Sponsor: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Deadline: August 2, 2005
The Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research Grant is offered with the intent to interest and foster investigations into the cause, treatment, prevention, and cure of breast cancers. Studies may be clinical, basic, or translational in design. The program offers grants of up to $250,000 (combined and indirect costs) over a two-year period. Equipment costs may not exceed 30 percent of direct costs. The indirect costs, if requested, may not exceed 25 percent of requested direct costs (or a maximum of $50,000). Only one application per principal investigator will be allowed.
http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=18354
KIRK A. LANDON-AACR PRIZE FOR BASIC CANCER RESEARCH
Sponsor: American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Scientific Achievement Awards
Deadline: August 10, 2005
The awards will recognize outstanding scientists who have made seminal cancer research discoveries at the cutting edge of scientific novelty and significance. Such discoveries must have accelerated progress against cancer and must have implications for future discoveries and contributions to cancer research. The Landon-AACR Prizes are open to all cancer researchers who are affiliated with any institution (academic, industry, government, or other) involved in cancer research, cancer medicine, or cancer-related biomedical science anywhere in the world. Candidates must currently maintain an active research program and have a record of recent publications. Nominations may be made by any scientist, whether an AACR member or nonmember, who is now or has been affiliated with any institution involved in cancer research, cancer medicine, or cancer-related biomedical science. Candidates may not nominate themselves. Nominators are asked to maintain the confidentiality of the nomination process. Nominators must submit one (1) unbound original plus fourteen (14) bound copies of the nomination package, which should consist of the following: A letter of recommendation in English (1,000-word maximum) specifying the Landon-AACR Prize for which the candidate is being nominated. The letter should describe the candidate's seminal cancer research discoveries with the publications supporting these discoveries directly referenced within the letter. The letter should further explain the impact of the discoveries in terms of the scientific novelty of the research; the contribution of the research to the acceleration of progress against cancer; and the implications for future discoveries; and the candidate's curriculum vitae in English, including a complete list of the candidate's publications; nominators should highlight and comment upon the candidate's most important original articles in the scientific literature within the letter of recommendation. The prize consists of $200,000 and a commemorative award.
http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=65247
To get additional information on both of the Landon Prizes, please visit http://www.aacr.org/default.aspx?p=3087 . Additionally, you can get information for the AACR Research Grants at http://www.aacr.org/page1295.aspx , and information about the various AACR Scientific Awards can be located at http://www.aacr.org/page3069.aspx
MARF MESOTHELIOMA RESEARCH GRANTS
Sponsor: Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Inc. (MARF)
Deadline: August 15, 2005
Continuing its efforts to stimulate translational research for the treatment of pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma, MARF is again accepting applications for funding of innovative developmental projects. Eligible projects may relate to either benchwork research or clinical research, must not be presently funded or pending review, and may be conducted through any not-for-profit academic, medical, or research institution in the United States or abroad. Proposed projects must address issues for the treatment of the disease. Mechanistic investigations that deal with causation will not be funded. The award for any project will be for a period of 12 months, renewable for 12 more months with funding of up to $50,000 per year (maximum total per project, $100,000).
http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=59884
LYMPHOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION CLINICAL INVESTIGATOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Sponsor: Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF)
Deadline: September 7, 2005
Clinical research is so important because it enables researchers to learn which treatment approaches are more effective than others and as a result patients gain access to the newest treatments more quickly. To meet this need, the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) has established a new three-year Clinical Investigator Career Development Award that encourages top fellows and scientists to develop and manage clinical trials. The recipients of the LRF Clinical Investigator Career Development Grant receive $75,000 for each of the three years of the award.
http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=72705
LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY SCHOLAR AWARD FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH
Sponsor: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Career Development Program
Deadline: September 15, 2005
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society provides support for individuals pursuing careers in basic, clinical, or translational research in leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The Scholar Award for Clinical Research is designed to encourage continued investigation in the field by compensating the investigator. The award is intended to develop research careers, not to support well-established, tenured, or senior investigators. The proposed studies should translate new concepts in the basic biomedical, epidemiological, or preventive sciences into clinical practice. Preference will be given to applicants whose research involves a clinical trial of new or innovative applications. Awards are usually given to individuals in universities, medical centers, or medical research institutions. The scholar applicant must have held independent faculty-level appointments for no more than nine years at the time of review and must have demonstrated an ability to conduct original clinical research on the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. The grant provides $110,000 per-year ($105,000 stipend and $5,000 institutional overhead each year) for five years; however, awards must be renewed each year, based on review of a yearly progress report.
http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=42879
To view all grants available through the Masonic Cancer Center, visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/grant/grantopp.html
CORE CURRICULUM SEMINAR
Friday, May 6, 2005, 10:00 a.m., 450 CCRB
Infections in the immunocompromised host
Dr. Jo-Ann Van Burik
For a complete schedule visit
http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/coreseminar.html
Friday, May 6 2005, 3:30-4:30, 450 CCRB
Yasir Ibrahim, Van Ness lab
The role of IRS-2 in IGF responsive breast cancer
For a complete schedule visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/grant7.html
Monday, May 9, 2005, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
CMV Vaccine Trial Proposal
Mark Schleiss, M.D. and Sharon Chen, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infections Disease
For a complete schedule visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/bmtlect.html
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