Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota

August 23, 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

Wednesday, August 24, 2005, Time: 1:15-2:15 pm. 450 Cancer Center Research Building

 

Association between WBC count and cancer mortality. Results from the Blue Mountains Eye Study , Australia

Anoop Shankar, M.D, M.P.H., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Community, Occupational, and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore.

 

Host: Mimi Yu, Ph.D., McKnight Presidential Professor

THE SCIENCE CAREERS FORUM SERIES

(Supported by the Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology Graduate Program)

August 31st — 3:00 PM, BSBE 2-101

 

“How a Scientist Becomes an Entrepreneur”

Dr. Colin Monks, Ph.D.

 

Please join us for an informal brief seminar and interactive question and discussion session about what it's really like to start and grow your own company working as a PhD/Scientist in the business world and how to you can get there. Refreshments will be provided – please RSVP to Louise Shand, MICaB office; 624-5947

 

CANCER U: ASK THE EXPERTS PROGRAM WILL FOCUS ON LIVING AFTER CANCER, SEPT. 17

 

Cancer Center members Julie Ross, Ph.D., and Daniel Mulrooney, M.D., will discuss some of the common problems cancer survivors encounter at the next Cancer U: Ask The Experts program on living after cancer. Ross leads the Masonic Cancer Center 's Prevention and Etiology Program, and Mulrooney sees patients in the Long Term Follow-up Clinic.The outreach education program will be held 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, in the Ski-U-Mah Room at the McNamara Alumni Center . There is no charge for the program, but pre-registration is requested. For more information and to make reservations, call the Masonic Cancer Center information line: 1-888-CANCERMN.

 

CANCER GENETICS AND CANCER BIOLOGY JOURNAL CLUB

 

All are invited to participate in the rejuvenated Cancer Genetics and Biology Journal Club for 2005-2006.

When: Wednesdays from noon-1PM during the school year starting September 21st

Where: MCB 5-122

What: Current research related to both solid and blood tumors from high profile journals (such as Cell, Science, Nature, Nature Genetics, Cancer Cell etc) in the fields of cancer biology and genetics will be presented.

 

To participate and/or subscribe to the email list, please contact Sonja Johnson (john4368@umn.edu ).

FACULTY RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

 

The Masonic Cancer Center, the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and other relevant Departments are expanding the Masonic Cancer Center Research Program in Cancer Progression and Metastasis. Members of the Cancer Progression and Metastasis program have research interests in the tumor microenvironment, epigenetic changes associated with tumor progression, angiogenesis, apoptosis, bone metastasis and tumor induced bone pain. We invite applications for two tenure track faculty positions at the Assistant/Associate Professor level. We are interested in candidates with specific research interests, experience, publication and external funding in the cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with cancer invasion and metastasis. The goal of this search is to attract faculty members that will enhance ongoing research programs in the following areas:

  • Tumor microenvironment with a specific focus on musculoskeletal tumor growth, the bone/tumor microenvironment, tumor metastasis to bone, animal models of bone metastases and/or emerging therapies for bone cancer.
  • Progression associated changes in signal transduction pathways associated with alterations in the structure/function of plasma membrane microdomains, signalosome assembly/function, or other tumor associated changes in cell growth/survival signal transduction pathways.
  • Tumor/stromal changes associated with primary tumor growth/progression of solid tissue tumors including breast, colon or prostate carcinomas.Preference will be given to individuals who use three dimensional and/or co-culture systems to model progression in vitro.

Successful candidates will be expected to develop projects that have translational potential in preclinical models, with a long term goal of developing novel clinical approaches for the diagnosis/treatment of metastatic cancer in patients. The Assistant/Associate Professor candidate must hold an M.D., Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D. degree. Preference will be given to candidates with external funding and established research programs. Academic rank and salary are commensurate with training and experience.  Please send curriculum vitae, a brief research statement, and contact information of three references to: Cancer Progression and Metastasis Search Committee, c/o Melissa Daufelt, Masonic Cancer Center, Mayo Mail Code 806, 420 Delaware St SE , Minneapolis , MN 55455 . cchr@ahc.umn.edu .

 

ATTENTION BENEFITS ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES: UPLAN MEDICAL OPTIONS ARE CHANGING FOR 2006.

 

Employee Benefits is sponsoring informational sessions on your new UPlan medical options for 2006. Medica and HealthPartners will be the medical plan administrators for 2006 and will provide a comparable range of plan types from which to choose. Plan options from Medica will be the new low-cost plans throughout the state. RxAmerica will provide the prescription drug coverage for all the plan options.  Because the plan options and low-cost plans are new for 2006, you must make an online election during Open Enrollment in order to have medical coverage for the 2006 plan year.  The schedule for informational sessions can be viewed at http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/eb/uplan/openenroll/forums.html .  Plan representatives from Medica, HealthPartners, and RxAmerica will be on hand to answer your questions. Delta Dental and HealthPartners Dental will also be represented at the sessions.

 

GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

NOTICE OF EXTENSIONS FOR FOURTEEN PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Release Date: August 12, 2005

The purpose of this Notice is to inform potential applicants that the expiration dates for the following fourteen program announcement s (PAs) have been extended to November 2, 2006. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-CA-05-026.html

CAM AT MINORITY OR HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH CENTERS
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: October 14, 2005; October 16, 2006; October 15, 2007
Application Receipt Dates: November 14, 2005, 2006, and 2007

This initiative will support basic science research projects and clinical research projects to investigate the safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of action of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices as they relate to racial and ethnic health disparities. Eligibility for this initiative is limited to institutions with minority health research centers or health disparities research centers funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). 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 also will vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the type of research (preclinical and clinical research projects have different parameters), quality, duration, and costs of the applications received. This PAR will use the NCCAM exploratory/developmental grant (R21) mechanisms. Applicants may submit more than one application, provided that they are scientifically distinct. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-05-152.html

THE SECRETORY PATTERN OF SENESCENT CELLS
Application Receipt Dates: February 1, June 1, October 1

Through this PA, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are encouraging applications that examine the changes in microenvironment that are induced by cell senescence, both in vivo and in vitro, and as a result of senescence being attained by any of the known inducers of this process. 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. This PA will use NIH research project grant (R01) and exploratory/developmental research grant (R21) award mechanism(s).
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-05-155.html

SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS OF RESEARCH EXCELLENCE (SPORES) IN HUMAN CANCER FOR YEAR 2006
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: Breast Cancer SPORE: December 1, 2005
Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer, Brain Cancer, and Lymphoma SPOREs: April 1, 2006
Head & Neck Cancer and Prostate Cancer SPOREs: August 1, 2006
Application Receipt Dates: Breast Cancer SPORE: February 1, 2006
Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer, Brain Cancer, and Lymphoma SPOREs: June 1, 2006
Head & Neck Cancer and Prostate Cancer SPOREs: October 1, 2006

The Organ Systems Branch of the Office of Centers, Training, and Resources, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute invites grant applications for Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in organ-specific cancers. Applicant institutions are to demonstrate their ability to conduct translational research in the prevention, etiology, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of lymphomas and breast, gastrointestinal (GI), brain, head & neck, and prostate cancers. Translational research, as defined by the Program, uses knowledge of human biology to develop and test the feasibility of cancer-relevant interventions in humans and/or determines the biological basis for observations made in individuals with cancer or in populations at risk for cancer. The support for SPOREs is through an NIH specialized center grant (P50) mechanism. Required components of a SPORE (P50) grant application and grant include: a minimum of four translational research projects, cores, and developmental research and career development programs. A required core in a SPORE is a human cancer tissue core for the particular organ site that will benefit translational research.

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-05-156.html

LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY

The following five competitive funding opportunities are being offered through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society:

Specialized Center of Research Program
Preliminary Application: Nov. 1, 2005 (15 copies must be received by the Society at our White Plains Home Office by 5 p.m.)
Full Application: By invitation only. Announced December 31, 2005, Due March 15, 2006

The Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) program was established to encourage multidisciplinary research focused on the prevention or cure of leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. The program requires synergy among at least three research programs and these programs may be supported by scientific core laboratories. The program permits an application for a competitive renewal of the SCOR grant after five years depending on the progress shown. The program is organized to encourage the interaction of complementary sciences and the linkage of basic sciences to a translational research program. The center's maximal annual total cost, direct and indirect, cannot exceed $1.25 million. The aggregate costs over five years cannot exceed $6.25 million. The direct costs, if justified by the aggregate budget may be up to $1.042 million per year. The indirect or institutional costs cannot exceed 20 percent of the direct costs per year.
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=11627

Scholar in Clinical Research
Preliminary Application: September 15, 2005
Full Application: October 1, 2005

Scholars in Clinical Research are highly qualified investigators who are expected to hold independent faculty-level appointments and who are conducting original, independent applied research, often involving early-stage clinical trials which will advance the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of hematologic malignancies. These Scholars are expected to have concomitant support for their research from another source or agency. Scholar in Clinical Research awards are for $110,000 (stipend $105,000 + $5,000 institutional overhead) per year for five years. Annual renewals are based on a non-competitive progress report review.
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=11618

Special Fellow
Preliminary Application: September 15, 2005
Full Application: October 1, 2005

Special Fellows are qualified investigators who have completed a minimum of two years of postdoctoral research training and are continuing their research under the direction of a research Sponsor. The Special Fellowship should permit the scientist to begin to transition to an independent research program. Special Fellow awards are for $60,000 (stipend $ 56,000+ $4,000 institutional overhead) per year for three years. Annual renewals are based on a non-competitive progress report review.
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=11618

Special Fellow in Clinical Research (SFCR)
Preliminary Application: September 15, 2005
Full Application: October 1, 2005

Special Fellows are researchers who hold a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree and have completed a minimum of two years of clinical hematology, oncology, hematology/oncology or hematopathology training or postdoctoral research training in a clinical discipline (e.g., cytogenetics, molecular pathology). These grantees should provide evidence that their career focus will be on the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. SFCR awards are for $60,000 (stipend $ 56,000 + $ 4,000 institutional overhead) per year for three years. Annual renewals are based on a non-competitive progress reviews.
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=11618

Fellow
Preliminary Application: September 15, 2005
Full Application: October 1, 2005

Fellows are promising investigators with less than two years of postdoctoral research training. These grantees are encouraged to embark on an academic career involving clinical or fundamental research in, or related to, leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma under the direction of a research sponsor. Fellow awards are for $50,000 (stipend $47,000+ $3,000 institutional overhead) per year for three years. Annual renewals are based on a non-competitive progress report review.
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=11618

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

REMINDERS

CHILDREN’S CANCER RESEARCH FUND (CCRF) ANNOUNCES DAWN OF A DREAM BENEFIT

The annual Children’s Cancer Research Fund’s Dawn of a Dream benefit is scheduled for Saturday, November 5, 2005 at the Depot in Minneapolis from 6:00 p.m. — 12:00 a.m. The featured entertainer for this year’s silver anniversary gala is Kenny Loggins. KS95 Morning Show hosts Cheryl Kaye and Greg Thunder will emcee the night. The CCRF has announced that one goal of the benefit is to raise $90,000 to completely outfit a lab for a new faculty member at the Masonic Cancer Center.

Advanced tickets for the event are on sale now at www.childrenscancer.org, or by calling the office at 952-893-9355. Individual ticket prices are $250 or $500 for premier seating. Table Sponsorships are also available starting at $5,000 (10 tickets).