Cancer Center Update

July 26, 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:

Today's Cancer Center Seminar

News

Events

Professional Education and Seminars

Grant Information & Announcements

Reminders

NEWS

SPECIAL SEMINAR
Tuesday, July 26, 2005, 12 Noon, 450 CCRB
Novel AML subclasses identified by gene profiling and other molecular approaches
Dr. Ruud Delwel, Associate Professor, Institute of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Representative paper:
Peter J.M. Valk1, Roel G.W. Verhaak1, M. Antoinette Beijen1, Claudia A.J. Erpelinck1, Sahar Barjesteh van Waalwijk van Doorn — Khosrovani1, Judith M. Boer2, H. Berna Beverloo3, Michael J. Moorhouse4, Peter J. van der Spek4, Bob Löwenberg1, Ruud Delwel1. Prognostically Useful Gene Expression Profiles in Acute Myeloid Leukemia . N Engl J Med. 2004; 350:1617-1628.

Host: David Largaespada

GRAND ROUNDS AND PALLIATIVE CARE

Tuesday, August 9, 2005, 7:30 to 8:30 am, Moos 2-530

Sponsored by: Transitions and Life Choices, Department of Family Medicine and the Center for Bioethics

Facts, Lies and Videotapes: PVS and Terri Schiavo

Dr. Ron Cranford

NEW MEMBER

Aneel A. Ashrani, M.B.B.S.
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation

Program(s): Cancer Progression and Metastasis, Translational Research
Area of scientific interest: Correlation between whole blood tissue factor expression and tumor bulk, disease progression and survival. Also Interested in creating a database to study the proteomic profile of patients to evaluate for a "signature" pattern for the early detection of cancer and its recurrence as well a predictor of response to therapy.
Area of clinical interest: Hematologic malignancies

GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

EXTENSION OF EXPIRATION DATE FOR PAR-03-104, THE HOWARD TEMIN AWARD (K01)
Release Date: July 15, 2005
The National Cancer Institute gives notice of the extension of the expiration date for PAR-03-104, The Howard Temin Award (K01), until July 2, 2006.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-CA-05-023.html

NIDDK AND NCI CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM UROLOGIC SURGEONS
Release Date: July 13, 2005

The Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases (DKUHD) of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)and the Office of Centers, Training and Resources (OCTR) Cancer Training Branch of the National Cancer Institute are committed to the career development of clinically trained research scientists and recognize the importance of physicians in research. In an effort to accommodate the training needs of urologic surgeons, the NIDDK and NCI will allow highly motivated urologic surgeons to apply for K08 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-00-003.html) grants, and the K23, (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-00-004.html) with a less than 75% effort. This is part of a pilot program to address the concerns of the urology community that urologic surgeons are unable to devote more than 50% of their time to research activities and still maintain their surgical skills. A minimum of 50% effort may be requested for the overall effort that will cover both career development and research activities. Salary will be pro-rated within the NIDDK and NCI caps accordingly.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-DK-05-015.html

EXPIRATION OF HUMAN BRAIN PROJECT (HBP) PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
Release Date: July 13, 2005

The HBP has been remarkably successful in establishing the field of neuroinformatics research. It is now time to consider new ways in which this field can best articulate with major informatics initiatives at NIH and ways to best advance research and development of informatics tools and resources for neuroscience. Such considerations have already begun, and will continue over several months. In light of this, the current program announcements (PARs) requesting applications for the HBP will not be reissued after they expire on September 23, 2005.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-MH-05-014.html

RUTH L. KIRSCHSTEIN NRSA FELLOWSHIPS IN CANCER NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH
Letters Of Intent Receipt Date: Not Applicable
Application Receipt Date: November 16, 2005

This RFA supports the training of individuals from the basic, biomedical, clinical, and information sciences and engineering who are pursuing research that applies nanotechnology development and application for the prevention, detection, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer. This funding opportunity will use Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (Kirschstein-NRSA) to support individual postdoctoral fellowships (F32) and senior fellowships (F33).The NCI intends to commit approximately $15.5M dollars over 3 years to fund a total of 36 new fellowships in response to this RFA (approximately 18 for each mechanism). The total amount of funds committed for F32 fellowships for FY 2006 is approximately $0.75 M. The total for F33 fellowships and supplements for FY 2006 is approximately $4.42M. An applicant may request a project period of up to 3 years for F32 (stipend levels depend on full years of post-degree experience at the time of award, and include an institutional allowance; both amounts are determined yearly by Congress) and 2 years for F33 fellowships (stipend not to exceed the level of Kirschstein-NRSA stipend support for individuals with more than 7 years experience). An applicant may request a project period of up to 3 years for F32 and 2 years for F33 fellowships. The anticipated start date for fellowship awards is July 2006, and funding will terminate no later than September 2009.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-06-010.html

ETIOLOGY, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA (R01 AND R21)
Application Submission Dates: February 1, June 1, October 1 2005

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Biotechnology (NIBIB), and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) are interested in receiving grant applications that address the etiology and etiologic mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and development of animal models, novel approaches to prevent this malignancy, and therapeutic or diagnostic studies aimed at establishing reliable prognostic indicators for disease progression and/or minimizing morbidity and mortality associated with this malignancy.

Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the mechanism types, numbers, qualities, durations, and costs of the applications received. The types of mechanisms to be supported include traditional investigator-initiated R01 (individual) and R21 (exploratory/developmental) research grant applications.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-05-137.html

ETIOLOGY, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA (P01)
Application Submission Dates: February 1, June 1, October 1 2005

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is interested in receiving program project (P01) grant applications that address the etiology and etiologic mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and development of animal models, novel approaches to prevent this malignancy, and therapeutic or diagnostic studies aimed at establishing reliable prognostic indicators for disease progression and/or minimizing morbidity and mortality associated with this malignancy. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the mechanism types, numbers, qualities, durations, and costs of the applications received. The type of mechanism to be supported is the P01 (program project) research grant application.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-05-138.html

AIDS INTERNATIONAL TRAINING AND RESEARCH PROGRAM
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: November 21, 2005; November 21, 2006; November 21, 2007
Application Receipt Date: December 21, 2005; December 21, 2006; December 21, 2007

The purpose of this announcement is to invite applications from eligible institutions for innovative, collaborative training programs that would contribute to the long-term goal of building sustainable research capacity in HIV/AIDS and HIV-related conditions at institutions in low- and middle-income countries. These research-training programs will strengthen scientific knowledge and skills to enhance prevention of and treatment and care for HIV/AIDS and HIV-related conditions in these countries. This support is available through the D43 mechanism.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-05-140.html

BASIC AND PRECLINICAL RESEARCH ON COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM)
Application Submission Dates: February 1, June 1, October 1 2005
This initiative encourages CAM and conventional researchers to carry out basic and/or preclinical research on CAM areas of special interest with an aim to understand the mechanisms of action of a CAM modality. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary.
This PA uses the NIH R01, R21, and R15 types of award mechanisms.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-05-138.html

BIOBEHAVIORAL METHODS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES RESEARCH
Application Submission Dates: February 1, June 1, October 1 2005
This initiative is designed to foster biobehavioral research and develop innovative research designs, methods of measurement, and data analysis techniques. Designs and methods that examine the impact of biologic and behavioral variables on individuals' health outcomes and quality of life are encouraged. Scientists are encouraged to increase the interface of biobehavioral research and clinical practice in existing core and exploratory centers and training programs by sharing findings and designing collaborative research projects. Ideally, interdisciplinary researchers should overcome differences in perspectives, incentives, and methods by going beyond usual collaborations to engage others to solve problems creatively and efficiently.

This funding opportunity will use the R01 and R21 award mechanisms. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the mechanism, numbers, quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-05-142.html

MENTORED PATIENT-ORIENTED RESEARCH CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD (K23)
Application Submission Dates: February 1, June 1, October 1 2005

The purpose of the Mentored Patient-Oriented Research (POR) Career Development Award (K23) is to support the career development of investigators who have made a commitment to focus their research endeavors on patient-oriented research. This mechanism provides support for three to five years of supervised study and research for clinically trained professionals who have the potential to develop into productive, clinical investigators focusing on patient-oriented research. Applicants must justify the need for a period of mentored research experience and provide a convincing case that the proposed period of support and career development plan will substantially enhance their careers as independent investigators in patient-oriented research. Clinically trained professionals or individuals with a clinical degree who are interested in further career development in biomedical research that is not patient-oriented should refer to the Mentored Clinical Scientist Career Development (K08) Award (see http://grants.nih.gov/training/careerdevelopmentawards.htm on the NIH web site for details).

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-05-143.html

To view all grants available through the Masonic Cancer Center, visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/grantopp.html