March 14, 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

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

 

A peek at next week's seminar:

Gene expression programs of development and cancer: Connections and disconnections in prostate carcinogenesis

Peter Nelson, M.D., Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , Seattle , WA

 

Host: Paul Marker, Ph.D.

For a complete schedule,visit

http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/date.html

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NEWS AND EVENTS

RECRUITMENT SEMINARS

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.

 

Monday, March 27, 2006, 12-1 p.m., 2-520 Moos Tower

Intersection of growth factor and androgen signaling in prostate cancer

Bekir Cinar, D.V.M., Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA

 

Dr. Cinar 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.

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 IN THE NEWS

 

In observance of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Robert Madoff, M.D., talked about colorectal cancer detection and prevention in a “Minnesota Moment” radio spot produced by the University and distributed to radio stations throughout the state. Dr. Madoff also provided information about colorectal cancer for the March Health Talk & You column, which is produced and distributed by the University to newspapers throughout the state.

 

David Rothenberger, M.D., will be a guest on WCCO-TV's morning show on March 20 to talk about the new book, Complete Guide to Colorectal Cancer . Dr. Rothenberger is one of the editors of this book, recently published by the American Cancer Society.

 

Click to read more about Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month resources.

 

THE STICK IT TO CANCER WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

 

Do you enjoy hockey? Want to help raise money for the University of Minnesota Cancer Center? The Stick it to Cancer Women's Ice Hockey Tournament will be April 21-23, 2006 at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine. This 70-80 team hockey tournament with 1,000+ girls and women participating began eight years ago to raise funds for breast cancer research. Teams from Wisconsin , Michigan , North Dakota and Ontario , Canada come to participate. The University of Minnesota Cancer Center has been selected to receive the proceeds this year. Last year they raised $36,000 for breast cancer research.

 

Approximately 100 volunteers are needed for the following positions: Ticket taker / ticket seller, referees, EMTs, score clocks and merchandise sales. If you would like to volunteer or want more information about the tournament, please contact Jackie at 763-792-7340 or jolson@superrink.org .

Click here for more information.

KUDOS

 

John E. Wagner, M.D., Division Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, has received notification that he has been elected to the Association of American Physicians. This will be announced April 29, 2006.

 

ROBY NICKLOW RECEIVES RECOGNITION AWARD

 

Congratulations to Roby Nicklow, team leader for the Clinical Trials Office Transplant Team, on receiving the Clinical Research/Experimental Therapeutics Recognition Award for the contributions her leadership excellence brings to the mission of the Cancer Center . The Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Program, which includes Brenda Weigel, M.D., principal investigator; Jody Dahl, nurse coordinator; and Amanda Galster, research coordinator; received a certificate of appreciation.

 

The awards were presented last Friday by David Rothenberger, M.D., and Philip McGlave, M.D., leaders of the Cancer Center 's Clinical Research/Experimental Therapeutics Program. (See “Did you know…?” article below.)

 

The nomination letter for Nick low stated: “After the Clinical Trials Office was created as a shared resource under the umbrella of the Cancer Center , the BMT research staff became a part of the CTO. Roby played a key role in making this a smooth transition and continues to play a leadership role as team leader for the transplant research staff. She is seen as a role model, team builder and an expert in her field.”

 

The nomination letter for the Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Program noted that Weigel, Dahl and Galster “have some of the most difficult assignments – putting children with refractory cancers on phase 1 drug trials. It is because of their perseverance that our Cancer Center retains its designation as a member of the phase 1 consortium in the Children's Oncology Group.”

 

Cancer Center Director John Kersey, M.D., initiated the Staff and Faculty Recognition Program to inform and update staff and faculty about Cancer Center activities and research, and to honor outstanding contributors to the Center's mission. The next recognition event will highlight administration and outreach. Click to nominate an outstanding contributor.

 

Did you know…?

 

At last Friday's Recognition Award presentation, Drs. David Rothenberger and Philip McGlave gave some interesting facts about the growth of clinical research and clinical trials at the Cancer Center .

 

Did you know that between 2001 and 2005:

•  Brainstorm Awards, funded by the Cancer Center to jumpstart clinical research projects, have been awarded to Frank Ondrey, M.D., Arek Dudek, M.D., Todd Tuttle, M.D., Levi Downs, M.D., and Nancy Baxter, M.D.

•  Cancer Center funds have been awarded to Linda Burns, M.D., Arek Dudek, M.D., Paul Orchard, M.D., Todd Tuttle, M.D., and Michael Maddaus, M.D., to support early phase studies.

•  During that same time, the number of clinical trials offered through the Cancer Center have increased from 159 to 208, enrollment in trials went from 379 to 460 patients, and the clinical trials office staff grew from five to 32 people directed by Elaine Bell.

 

CANCER CENTER SPRING POSTER SESSION AND SYMPOSIUM

 

The Seventh Annual Spring Poster Session and Symposium sponsored by the Cancer Center Core Facilities will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., May 18, 2006. The schedule for the event includes oral presentations from 11 a.m. to noon followed by poster session and lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Students, staff, post-docs and PIs are invited to participate by presenting a poster.

 

Online registration will open on Monday, April 3, 2006 with a final deadline of April 28. Due to the increasing number (and size!) of posters and the limited amount of display space, we have decided to display the first 35 abstracts/posters that are submitted in the Cancer Center atrium areas. Other posters will be displayed as space permits in other areas of the Cancer Center . All abstracts will be printed in the program booklet.

 

For more information, call Susan Collins at 4-0659 or send an email to colli017@umn.edu.

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 ) by Wednesday, March 15, if you or someone you know would like to be added to the recruitment list.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 15th ANNUAL UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SYMPOSIUM IN DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

 

Next fall's Symposium in Developmental Biology, "Gene Networks in Development: Lessons from C. elegans and Beyond,” will be held September 26 and 27, 2006 in Coffman Memorial Union on the Minneapolis campus. One of this year's event goals is to celebrate Bob Herman's scientific career and many contributions to the research community. The session topics will explore some of his primary research interests including: Cell-cell signaling and use of genetic mosaics, gene networks, overlapping pathways/redundancy, and chromosome stability and function. The invited speakers will cover a wide array of systems including worms, flies, plants, frogs and mammals. Attendees are also invited to a banquet held on Tuesday evening, Sept. 26, at the Weisman Art Museum on the Minneapolis campus.

 

SCIENCE MUSEUM CANCER AND THE HUMAN BODY EVENT A BIG SUCCESS

 

More than 140 people participated in the University of Minnesota Cancer Center's sixth annual Cancer and the Human Body event on Saturday, February 18, 2006 at the Science Museum of Minnesota.  Click to see an event report and pictures.

 
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EDUCATION AND SEMINARS

CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY INTEREST GROUP

Thursday, March 16, 2006, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Mayo D327

The role of diet and genes in major human cancers

Mimi C. Yu, Ph.D., McKnight Presidential Professor, Cancer Center

 

To reserve a lunch, please RSVP to Logan Spector at spector@epi.umn.edu by 4 p.m. by Tuesday, March 14.

 

Click to see a complete schedule.

 

BMT CONFERENCE

Monday, March 20, 2006, 2006, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in India : Opportunities and challenges

Raj Behl, M.D ., Adams Fellow in Hematopoietic Transplantation, Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, BMT Faculty Candidate

Hosted by: Daniel Weisdorf, M.D.

Click to see a complete schedule.

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GRANT INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

CANCER GENOME CHARACTERIZATION CENTERS (U24)

Request For Applications (RFA) Number: RFA-CA-07-014

Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): April 12, 2006

Application Receipt Dates(s): May 12, 2006

Earliest Anticipated Start Date: September 26, 2006

 

The NCI is soliciting applications from investigators interested in participating in a collaborative network of Cancer Genome Characterization Centers (CGCCs) to be established under this funding opportunity. This request for applications (RFA) is a component of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Pilot Project recently announced by the NCI and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) ( http://cancergenome.nih.gov ), a comprehensive and coordinated effort to accelerate our understanding of the molecular basis of cancer through the application of high throughput genome analysis technologies that interrogate the entire genomes of human cancer biospecimens. The CGCCs, Genome Sequencing Centers , and other components (see below) of the TCGA will work together in a collaborative Research Network. The overall goal of the TCGA pilot effort is to assess technical feasibility and clinical relevance in conducting a comprehensive analysis of the genomic alterations found in human cancers.

 

An institution may submit only one application in response to this funding opportunity announcement. Interested investigators should register their interest at the University's web site.

Click for further information from the NIH regarding this opportunity.

 

CLINICAL TRIALS: ORAL COMPLICATIONS OF CANCER THERAPY (R21)

Opening Date: May 2, 2006 (Earliest date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)

Application Submission Date(s): Standard dates apply

 

The NIDCR and NCI invites applications for clinical research directed at reducing the incidence and severity of oral complications from cancer therapies. The development of a Clinical Pilot Data Grants under this FOA would be to collect preliminary data to establish an adequate foundation for a future Phase III clinical trial. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will use the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) award mechanism.

 

Applications submitted in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Federal assistance must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Applications may not be submitted in paper format. A registration process is necessary before submission and applicants are highly encouraged to start the process at least four weeks prior to the grant submission date.

Program Announcement (PA) Number: PAR-06-213

 

Click for further information from the NIH regarding this announcement.

 

PROSTATE CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAM – DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

The Department of Defense has released several funding announcements pertaining to prostate cancer research, with deadlines in April and June 2006. Click for full program announcements.

 

LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION RESEARCH AWARDS

Letter of intent due by April 24, 2006.

 

The LAF aims to fund research that is not readily fundable from traditional sources, and encourages and supports the efforts of both established and young investigators in the early stages of their research careers. In 2006, proposals will be accepted in two areas, cancer survivorship and the basic and clinical science of testicular cancer. The LAF will grant Research Awards of up to $75,000 per year for 1-3 years (plus 10% indirect costs) to support research projects initiated by established investigators. This funding mechanism is intended to support the early stages of survivorship research projects in order to facilitate subsequent funding from other sources. Click for a complete RFP from the Lance Armstrong Foundation web site.

 

 

LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARDS

Letter of intent due by April 24, 2006.

The LAF will grant Young Investigator Research Awards of up to $50,000 per year for 1-2 years (plus 10% indirect costs) to support research dedicated to the study of cancer survivorship. This mechanism is intended to protect young investigators from directly competing with established researchers for funding. Click for a complete RFP from the Lance Armstrong Foundation web site.

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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

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. Click for a complete schedule and registration information.

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! Click here to find out more and to register.

 

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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