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Researchers and Staff
Cancer Center Update
February 7, 2006
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
Development of profiles for lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis
David G. Beer, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Surgery, Thoracic Section, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Host: Robert Kratzke, M.D.
A peek at next week's seminar:
Mechanisms of peptide/MHC class I presentation pathway
Nilabh Shastri, Ph.D., Professor of Immunology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California-Berkeley
Host: Sundaram Ramakrishnan, Ph.D.
For a complete schedule visit: http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/date.html
CANCER CENTER WELCOMES CATHY SPICOLA, DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Join us in welcoming Cathy Spicola to the MMF staff as major gift development officer for the Masonic Cancer Center. A press release from the Minnesota Medical Foundation said the following about Cathy:
“Cathy has a broad background in fund-raising and development. She comes to the Masonic Cancer Center and MMF from St. David’s Child Development and Family Services in Minnetonka, where she held the positions of director of philanthropy and, prior to that, communications manager. In her time there, she directed the public phase of a capital campaign and staffed the volunteer fund-raising committee. Before joining St. David’s as a staff member, she served on the board and as board chairman, leading the board during a period of extensive growth. Spicola earned a bachelor’s degree in speech communications from the University of Minnesota; she’s also an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.”
Cathy’s office is located in Cancer Center #549; her phone is 5-5192 and her email is: c.spicola@mmf.umn.edu.
Please stop by and welcome Cathy to the Masonic Cancer Center.
RECRUITMENT SEMINAR
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Alana L. Welm, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, San Francisco
The role of macrophage stimulating proteins in metastasis of breast cancer: Lessons from a new mouse model of bone metastasis.
Dr. Welm is a candidate for a faculty position in the Cancer Progression and Metastasis Program, a joint recruitment between the Masonic Cancer Center and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.
SPECIAL SEMINAR
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, 2:30 p.m., 2-101 Hasselmo Hall (formerly BSBE)
David Gius, M.D., Ph.D., Section Chief, Molecular Radiation Oncology, Clinical Director, Head and Neck and GYN Services, Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Do insulator proteins regulate epigenic gene expression?
Sponsored by the Department of Pharmacology, the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development and the Masonic Cancer Center
REQUEST TO CANCER CENTER MEMBERS
FACULTY, STAFF CONTRIBUTIONS SOUGHT FOR HOPE LODGE PROJECT
The American Cancer Society, in partnership with the Masonic Cancer Center and the University of Minnesota Medical Center, announced this week that construction of a 40-room Hope Lodge near the east edge of the University will begin this year.
The facility will provide free, long-term housing for adult cancer patients and their caregivers in an emotionally supportive environment. It will help ease the expense and burden of housing for more than 2,000 patients who travel to the Twin Cities annually for cancer treatment.
The Masonic Cancer Center's part in this collaborative effort involved acquiring the land for the building of the Hope Lodge. Generous contributions from University-related organizations, including University Medical Auxiliary, University of Minnesota Medical Center Medical Staff, the hospital corporation itself, UMPhysicians, faculty and staff, as well as, community-based physicians and other private donors, have amounted to just under $1.5 million. However, about $550,000 still needs to be raised to meet the $2 million amount the Masonic Cancer Center needed to purchase the land. If you would like to support this project, contact David Rothenberger, M.D., rothe002@umn.edu or Rosemary Gruber, r.gruber@mmf.umn.edu, for more information and to make a gift.
U OF M CANCER CENTER TO SPONSOR “CANCER AND THE HUMAN BODY”
The Masonic Cancer Center is once again teaming up with the Science Museum of Minnesota to sponsor the sixth annual Cancer and the Human Body event from 1-4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Science Museum, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. This year’s event will include the following displays and presenters:
• Normal Cells vs. Cancer Cells and Cancer in the Body: Anna Marie Carley, M.D. and Shanna Jagusch, M.D.
• Cancer Quiz: Teri Kast, R.N., Mary Sumpmann, R.N., and Marva Bohen, R.N.
• Zebrafish and Angiogenesis: Steven Ekker, Ph.D.
• Skin Cancer: Sharone Askari, M.D.
• Flow Cytometry: Greg Veltri
• Minimally Invasive Surgery: Teri Kast, R.N., and Karina DiLuzio
Cancer Center members and staff are encouraged to attend this informal, hands-on educational event that will help Twin Cities residents learn more about cancer from the people who work with it. The event cost is included with museum admission of $8.50 for an adult and $6.50 for a child or senior. For more information, call the Masonic Cancer Center at (612) 625-4441 or visit the Web site at www.cancer.umn.edu.
SUPPORT CHILDREN'S CANCER RESEARCH FUND ~ ORDER YOUR COPY OF THE MOVIE: THE BLUE BUTTERFLY
The Children’s Cancer Research Fund is offering a unique way to support cancer research. Invite your friends and family over for a night at the movies! The Blue Butterfly, starring William Hurt, is a magical story about a courageous young boy whose life is forever changed by a journey into the jungle to find the most beautiful butterfly on earth. This miraculous story was inspired by brain cancer survivor David Marenger. The Blue Butterfly Home Movie Party is just what you need to get started to host a fun-filled get together to support Children's Cancer Research Fund. (Movie is rated PG)
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INSTITUIONAL RESEARCH GRANT APPLICATIONS
American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant applications are being accepted until April 10, 2006. This grant is for assistant professors who have no independent national funding and are engaged in cancer-related research. Cancer-related research includes genetic mechanisms of cancer, molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and metastasis, development of novel cancer therapeutic models and translational research, cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Funding is available up to $20,000. Applications may be obtained by calling 612-626-1926 or sending email to micek003@umn.edu.
TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT NETWORK (TMEN) (U54)
(RFA-CA-06-014)
National Cancer Institute
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: April 10, 2006
Application Receipt Date(s): May 10, 2006
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites cooperative agreement applications from groups of investigators interested in becoming components of the NCI Tumor Microenvironment Network (TMEN, also referred to as the “Network”). TMEN will consist of inter-connected, multidisciplinary teams of investigators and collaborative groups that will work together on projects focused on the tumor microenvironment. The main objective of the TMEN initiative is to delineate mechanisms of tumor-stroma interactions in human cancer. Through use of the NIH U54 cooperative agreement mechanism, this funding opportunity is intended to support a network of up to six individual Research Programs, each consisting of multi-disciplinary teams of investigators with expertise in specific tumor site(s) and using human cancer samples and/or well-defined vertebrate models. For further information, please see:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-06-014.html
EXPLORATORY GRANTS FOR INCREASING THE UTILIZATION AND IMPACT OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE'S CANCER INFORMATION SERVICE (R21)
(RFA-CA-06-015)
National Cancer Institute
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: March 20, 2006
Application Receipt Date(s): April 19, 2006
The major goal of this funding opportunity is to promote innovative research in cancer communications that explores the development and testing of national, regional, or community-based interventions that increase the utilization of scientifically accurate and up-to-date cancer information by the underserved and the impact of receiving such information. Specifically, the purpose of this funding opportunity is to stimulate research that explores effective messages, channels, outreach, promotional strategies, and/or other interventions that increase the utilization and impact of the existing cancer information resources such as NCI’s Cancer Information Service (CIS) by underserved populations. The NIH exploratory/developmental R21 grant mechanism is being used for this funding opportunity, and it is anticipated that five or six grants will be awarded. For further information, please see: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-06-015.html
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAM SUMMER FELLOWSHIPS
The AHC Office of Clinical Research is accepting applications for clinical and translational research program summer fellowships.
Applications are due Feb. 15.
These paid fellowships will provide training in clinical and translational research for predoctoral AHC students (D.D.S., D.V.M., M.D., Pharm.D., or Ph.D.). The 8-10 week program begins mid-June. During this time, fellows will work with established investigators on an ongoing clinical or translational research project. Those currently pursuing a predoctoral health professional degree in dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, or veterinary medicine are eligible. For questions about eligibility, please contact Becky Moen at 612-625-2691 or ramoen@umn.edu.
For more information and to access the application, please see: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/ocr/fellowship.
AHC SEED GRANT
Deadline: April 7, 2006 for an AHC Seed Grant of up to $25,000.
The purpose of these grants is to provide support for faculty who want to initiate a substantially new direction in their research or to help develop innovative projects that will allow faculty to expand into new research areas. These grants are not intended to provide support for established areas of research or previously funded projects or to substitute for faculty start-up funding. The maximum award per grant is $25,000, although smaller budgets are acceptable. The funds must be designated for the direct support of the research. Fifteen awards will be made. For further information, please see: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/research/funding/seedgrants.
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CANCER BIOLOGY RESEARCH CLUB
Friday, Feb. 10, 2006, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 450 CCRB
Characterizing IGFBP-1's IGF-independent effects on breast cancer cells
Yasir Ibrahim, YeeLab
For a complete schedule, visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/grant7.html .
BMT CONFERENCE
Monday, Feb. 136, 2006, 2006, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Cancelled due to BMT tandem meetings
For a complete schedule, visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/bmtlect.html
HOSPITAL LOBBY CLOSURE DELAYED UNTIL FEB. 15TH – STAFF REMINDED TO USE DIEHL PLAZA ENTRANCE ON U CAMPUS
The University campus hospital lobby will close for a major remodeling project on Feb. 15. Staff, patients and visitors will use alternative entrances into the hospital building until late spring.
Staff should use the Diehl Plaza entrance on the medical center’s north side or enter the hospital via the patient/visitor ramp tunnel through the Phillips-Wangensteen building to minimize traffic routed through the new Masonic side entrance.
Patient and visitor traffic to and from the hospital will be redirected using the tunnel between the parking ramp and medical center (through the tunnel level of Masonic) and via a new south side entrance to the Masonic Cancer Center, which will be modified with a walkway leading to the sidewalk. Valet parking will continue to be offered in the hospital circle.
A patient/visitor map indicating the temporary entrance location to the medical center will be available on Fairview’s Web site later this month. For more information about the project contact Jim Eilrich, facilities manager, 612-273-3168.
SEEKING RECOGNITION AWARD NOMINATIONS
We are currently accepting nominations for the Masonic Cancer Center 's recognition award honoring outstanding contributors in Clinical Research and Experimental Therapeutics. Clinical Research/Experimental Therapeutics staff, as well as other staff and faculty contributing to the Masonic Cancer Center in these areas, are eligible for this award. Nominees do not need to be Cancer Center employees.
To submit a nomination online, go to http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/recogform.html.
Electronic or hard copies of the form may also be requested from cchr@umn.edu. A recognition event will be announced later this month.
TTURC ANNOUNCES PILOT GRANT PROGRAM
The Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center (TTURC) is offering grants of up to $25,000 for one year to support pilot projects aimed at reducing the harm from tobacco dependence, or strategies to reduce tobacco use among populations that have been refractory to smoking cessation efforts. This funding may be used for direct costs only. Proposals may involve any level of inquiry, e.g. molecular, genetic, preclinical, clinical, epidemiologic or public policy.
Faculty at the University of Minnesota , or faculty at Hennepin County Medical Center/Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, Minneapolis Veteran's Administration Medical Center or Regions Hospital who have an adjunct appointment at the University of Minnesota are eligible to apply. The application deadline is March 1, 2006 with an anticipated funding date of April 1, 2006. Potential applicants must first contact the Pilot Projects Program Director (Paul Pentel, pentel@umn.edu 612-873-6426) to determine whether the proposed project is within the scope of the Center. Applications that have not been discussed will not be accepted. A full program announcement and application form is available in .pdf format at http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/docs/TTURC_Pilot.pdf .