March 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.

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In This Issue:

Today's Cancer Center Seminar

News

Events

Professional Education and Seminars

Grant Information & Announcements

Reminders

TODAY'S CANCER CENTER SEMINAR

Translational development of novel therapies for malignant brain tumors

 

John Ohlfest, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Director, Translational Gene Therapy Program, Director, Gene and Stem Cell Core Facility, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota

 

A peek at next week's seminar:

The molecular basis of reovirus oncolysis

Patrick Lee, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cameron Chair in Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

 

Host: Faris Farassati

For a complete schedule visit: http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/date.html

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NEWS AND EVENTS

RECRUITMENT SEMINARS

Wednesday, March 8, 2006, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Tianyan Gao, Ph.D., Assistant Research Scientist, University of California at San Diego
PHLPP, a novel phosphatase that terminates Akt and PKC signaling

Dr. Gao is a candidate for a faculty position in the Cancer Progression and Metastasis Program, a joint recruitment between the Cancer Center and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.

Friday, March 10, 2006, 12:00-1:00 PM, Room 450 CCRB
Whitney Perkins Witt, Ph.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, NorthwesternUniversity, Chicago, IL
The impact of cancer and cancer survivorship on the family

Dr. Perkins is a candidate for an Assistant/Associate Professor position in the Division of Pediatric Epidemiology & Clinical Research.

Monday, March 20, 2006, 12-1 p.m., 2-520 Moos Tower
Xiaochun Yu, M.D. Ph.D., Research Associate, Department of Oncology, Division of Developmental Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic
Cell cycle checkpoints and cancer

Dr. Yu is a candidate for a faculty position in the Cancer Progression and Metastasis Program, a joint recruitment between the Cancer Center and the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.

SPECIAL SEMINAR
Wednesday, March 8, 2006, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Room 450 CCRB (Note room change from previous message.)
Cell regulation and chromosomal translocation in childhood leukemia
Shuki Mizutani, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Chairman, Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University

Sponsors: University of Minnesota Cancer Center and Cancer Center Director John Kersey, M.D.

PALLIATIVE CARE GRAND ROUNDS
Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 7:30 a.m., 2-520 Moos Tower
Navigating a world of multiple perspectives: How to conduct an end of life care conference
Richard L. Heinrich, M.D., Hospice Medical Director, Hospice of the Lakes, HealthPartners Medical Group, Psychiatric Medical Director of a 10-Bed Geriatric Psychiatry Service at Regina Medical Center, Hastings, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, U of M

Sponsored by University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, and University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview

MODERN MANAGEMENT OF KIDNEY CANCER
Monday, March 20, 2006, 2-5 p.m., Philips Wangensteen Building, 11-157
Presented by: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Continuing Medical Education, University of Minnesota

Pre-registration is requested by March 15 to ensure confirmed attendance. For a program brochure and registration form, visit www.cme.umn.edu and click on Course Calendar. Registration by mail is available at Management of Kidney Cancer, Office of Continuing Medical Education, 190 McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, Phone 612-626-7600, FAX 612-626-7766.

CANCER CENTER MEMBERS AWARDED PARTNERSHIP GRANTS FOR COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH

Several University of Minnesota Cancer Center members and their research counterparts at Mayo Clinic were among nine research teams awarded grants by the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics.

Proposals had to include investigators from both the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic, and had to involve disease-based research that could not be done by either institution alone. The Cancer Center researchers and their collaborative research projects include:

• David Largaespada, Ph.D., leader of the Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, and Mayo Clinic’s Robert Jenkins, M.D., will collaborate on brain tumor research.
• Steven Patterson, Ph.D., member of the Cancer Progression and Metastasis Program, will work with Daniel Billadeau, Ph.D., on pancreatic cancer research.
•Zigang Dong, M.D., Ph.D., member of the Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program and director of Hormel Institute, will work with Yuan Ping-Pang, Ph.D., on cancer drug development.

In addition, Cancer Center member Timothy Behrens, M.D., and Mayo Clinic’s Ann Reed, M.D., will work on autoimmune diseases.

For a complete list of recipients and descriptions of their research projects, visit http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/umayo022806/awards/ .

ROTHENBERGER SERVES ON EDITORIAL BOARD, IS A CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR FOR NEW BOOK ON COLORECTAL CANCER

David Rothenberger, M.D., associate director for Clinical Research and co-leader of the Translational Research Program, is one of the editors of a new book titled Complete Guide to Colorectal Cancer, recently published by the American Cancer Society. In addition to being an editor, Dr. Rothenberger authored the chapters on surgery and follow-up, and contributed to the chapter on diagnosis and staging. Cancer Center members Ed Greeno, M.D., authored the chapter on understanding your prognosis, and Rocco Ricciardi, M.D., contributed to the chapter on diagnosis and staging.

CANCER CENTER MEMBERS FEATURED AMONG TOP DOCTORS FOR WOMEN

Todd Tuttle, M.D., Peter Argenta, M.D., Linda Carson, M.D., and Patricia Judson, M.D., were among University of Minnesota physicians/Cancer Center members featured as “Top Doctors for Women” in the March issue of Minnesota Monthly magazine. In the same issue, Cancer Center membersLevi Downs, M.D., and Sharon Allen, M.D., Ph.D., were quoted in an article about clinical trials geared toward women.

DONATION RECEIVED FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

Carson Pirie Scott & Co., operator of Herberger’s, recently donated $52,400 to the Cancer Center for breast cancer research. The funds were raised through the company’s Charge Against Breast Cancer program in 2005. The Cancer Center will use the funds to help support the work of its physicians and scientists whose focus is breast cancer research.

CANCER CENTER MEMBER FEATURED IN NEW “WHY I AM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA” POSTER

Brenda Weigel, M.D., Assistant Professor and Lehman Family/CCRF Chair in the Department of Pediatrics, and Bruce Blazar, M.D., Co-leader of the Cancer Center’s Transplant Biology and Therapy Program and Professor and Andersen Chair in Transplantation Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, are pictured on the Academic Health Center’s new “Why I am at the University of Minnesota” poster featuring cancer research.

The AHC began the "Why I am at the University of Minnesota" poster campaign to promote the interdisciplinary focus of the Academic Health Center, to strengthen employee pride in working at the University, and to recognize the high level of talent the University has and continues to attract. Contact Mary Lawson at mlawson@umn.edu, 624-6165, if you would like a poster for your area.

CANCER CENTER JOINS WITH OTHER TWIN CITIES’ LEADERS IN CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH, TREATMENT TO HOST BEYOND THE CURE EDUCATIONAL EVENT

Parents of cancer survivors, cancer survivors ages 16 and up and professionals who work with childhood cancer survivors are invited to Beyond the Cure, a free educational conference Saturday, April 8 at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota campus. Childhood cancer experts will discuss long-term medical and emotional issues for survivors as well as strategies for living well after cancer. The conference will also include Scott Burton, an author and humorist who tells the tale of his own cancer survivorship with humanity and refreshing honesty.

This event, the first of its kind in Minnesota, is sponsored by the Cancer Center, along with University of Minnesota Physicians’ Masonic Cancer Clinic; University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview; University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview; Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota; and Care Partners of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Beyond the Cure is a program of The National Children’s Cancer Society. For a complete schedule and registration information, click http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/patients/BeyondtheCure.html.

RESEARCHERS AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS NEEDED FOR WEBSITE USABILITY TESTING

The Cancer Center’s Web team needs names and e-mail addresses of researchers and health care professionals who would be willing to be recruited to review a prototype of the Cancer Center’s new website. The potential reviewers do not need to have a direct connection with the Cancer Center or familiarity with its current Web site. The Cancer Center web team and the University of Minnesota Usability Services department will conduct the usability tests in the usability lab in Walter Library April 12-13. Reviewers will spend an hour and a half completing a number of tasks on the website and answering questions about what they think about the site. The identities of reviewers will be kept confidential. Please contact Gina Kennedy (612-626-0410 or kenne069@umn.edu) this week if you or someone you know would like to be added to the recruitment list.

NEW MEMBER

David G. Perdue, M.D., M.S.P.H.
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine/Gastroenterology
Programs: Prevention and Etiology, Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention
Area of scientific interest: Research on reasons for the disparities in incidence and death rates from colon cancer among Minnesota's Native American population; the development of culturally sensitive interventions. A long-term goal is the identification of risk factors and differences in tumor biology inherent to this population.
Clinical focus: Colorectal cancer

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EDUCATION AND SEMINARS

PEDIATRIC CANCER AND BLOOD DISEASES CONFERENCE JOINT TUMOR BOARD TELECONFERENCE

Wednesday, March 8, 2006, 1:15 p.m., 130 Lillehei Heart Institute

Identification of Prognostic Factors in Patients with Fanconi Anemia after Alternate Donor HSCT

Suleimman Alsweedan, M.D. Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT Fellow, University of Minnesota .

 

CORE CURRICULUM SEMINAR

Friday, March 10, 2006, 10:00 a.m., 450 CCRB

Rachel Lerner, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota

 

For a complete schedule, visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/coreseminar.html

 

TRANSDISCIPLINARY TOBACCO USE RESEARCH CENTER SEMINAR (special seminar)

Friday, March 24, 2006, 12 p.m., 450 CCRB

Nicotine Actions on Brain During Developmental Critical Periods

Frances Leslie, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology, University of California , Irvine

 

For a complete schedule, visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/tturclec.html

 

CANCER BIOLOGY RESEARCH CLUB

Friday, March 10 2006, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 450 CCRB

Cancelled

 

For a complete schedule, visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/grant7.html .

 

BMT CONFERENCE

Monday, March 13, 2006, 2006, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB

New radioprotective agents

Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari, Ph.D., (ABMLI), Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Pediatric H/O/BMT and Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Minnesota

 

For a complete schedule, visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/bmtlect.html

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GRANT INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

2006 MASONIC/DIETZ FAMILY AWARD FOR EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL

 

Applications are being solicited for the Masonic/Dietz Family Award for Educational Travel. Recognizing that educational travel and sharing of knowledge is essential to successful cancer research, the Charlton Dietz Family through the Masonic Cancer Center Fund has established this award for educational travel. Awards may be up to $1200 for educational travel. Up to three awards will be made. Educational opportunities may include but are not limited to conferences, courses and site visits. Graduate students, fellows, research-related staff and faculty within a cancer/cancer-related educational program or research area may apply. To apply, download the application instructions (pdf) .

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.

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REMINDERS

 

UNIVERSITY CHEMICAL-BIOLOGY INITIATIVE WORKSHOP MAY 17, 2006

 

Frontiers of Drug Discovery: Chemical Library Development and Screening

May 17, 2006, Coffman Memorial Union Theater

 

The aim of the workshop is to inform biomedical, pharmacological, medicinal, computational and chemical researchers at the University of Minnesota of recent advances in chemical library design and screening. An outstanding faculty has been assembled to present the latest cutting-edge chemical genetics research. Time will be made available during the workshop for questions and discussion, with the goal of fostering interdisciplinary research projects harnessing these techniques. Please join us! To find out more and to register please go to the web site: http://www.pharmacy.umn.edu/cbi/workshop/home.html

 

CHEMICAL BIOLOGY INTERFACE SYMPOSIUM JUNE 1, 2006

 

Mark your calendars for the Chemical Biology Interface Symposium, Thursday, June 1 at the St. Paul campus. The planning committee is putting together a program of speakers who work at the very cutting edge of science and pursue their research by combining different disciplinary approaches in chemistry, physics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. For more information about this event contact Larry Masterson, maste061@umn.edu 612-625-0786.

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