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Researchers and Staff
Cancer Center Update
March 21, 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
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.
A peek at next week's seminar:
Determinant of sex hormones linked to prostate cancer in black and white men: Results of the CARDIA male hormone study
Susan M. Gapstur, Ph.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University
Host: Julie Ross, Ph.D.
For a complete schedule,visit
http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/date.html
RECRUITMENT SEMINAR
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 Masonic Cancer Center and the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.
LEUKEMIA RESEARCH FUND ANNOUNCES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Leukemia Research Fund is once again soliciting proposals for research funding. Applications can be made in two categories:
- Category 1 — Basic: Proposals should focus on the cellular and/or molecular mechanisms that govern the development or progression of cancer, with a priority on leukemia and related diseases. Proposals could include relevant models in developmental biology that provide insight into the development and progression of cancer.
- Category 2 — Translational: Proposals should focus on the development and/or analysis of innovative approaches for treating leukemia and related diseases. Areas could include, but would not be restricted to: gene therapy, tumor targeting, cellular therapy, novel cytotoxic agents, tumor angiogenesis, regulation of apoptosis, or stem cell procurement.
Grants will be awarded effective August 1, 2006 for one year with a second year possible contingent upon adequate progress and availability of funds. Full-time University of Minnesota faculty at the ranks of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor are eligible to apply.
Please note there are two deadlines. The first deadline, April 7, 2006, requests a "letter of intent" that includes the name of the investigator and the title of the application. This should be sent to Tucker LeBien at his e-mail address: lebie001@umn.edu . The second deadline for receipt of completed applications is 4 p.m., May 5, 2006. Applications, should be emailed as a PDF file to Sandi Sherman, sherm019@umn.edu . Application instructions and copies of the grant application forms can be accessed at http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/grantopplrf.html .
Pre-application questions about eligibility and/or the scientific categories can be directed to Tucker LeBien at lebie001@umn.edu or 626-1422. Questions about technical aspects of the application process can be directed to Sandi Sherman at sherm019@umn.edu or 626-0671.
CANCER CENTER SPRING POSTER SESSION AND SYMPOSIUM
The Seventh Annual Spring Poster Session and Symposium sponsored by the Masonic 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 Masonic Cancer Center atrium areas. Other posters will be displayed as space permits in other areas of the Masonic 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.
CANCER SUMMIT 2006: THE POWER OF COLLABORATION
Tuesday, April 25, 2006, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Earl Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center
The Minnesota Cancer Alliance will host the third annual Cancer Summit. Health care professionals, policymakers, advocates and survivors will come together to discuss the power of collaboration and the positive impact it can have on Minnesota's cancer burden.
Keynote speaker Tim Byers, M.D., M.P.H., University of Colorado Cancer Center, will explain how a comprehensive approach to cancer control has energized partners and has helped make Colorado a model for other states.
The Summit will feature an update on the latest Minnesota cancer data, skill-building workshops, roundtable discussions with cancer experts and working meetings of Alliance task forces. It will also include Combating Cancer in Your Community, a three-part mini-course designed to provide a basic cancer overview for community health workers, lay health workers and community volunteers who conduct health outreach work in various settings.
The Summit is open to anyone interested in learning about Minnesota cancer control efforts. Cancer Center members who wish to attend can fax (612-626-3069) or mail (MMC 806) their registration form to Jean Jacoby by the end of the day Thursday, April 13. Leave the payment method blank and Jean will submit the registration with payment. The registration form is available on the Minnesota Cancer Alliance Web site: http://www.cancerplanmn.org/. Click on the Summit 2006 link, then on the registration form link, complete the form, print it, and send it to Jean (not to the contact listed on the form).
KUDOS
Congratulations to Cancer Center member Michel Sanders, Ph.D. , professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics. Dr. Sanders, a member of the Masonic Cancer Center 's Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, was one of eight faculty members to receive a 2006 University of Minnesota award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Professional Education. She will be inducted into the U's Academy of Distinguished Teachers . The formal presentation of the awards will be held 3 p.m., April 24, 2006 at the McNamara Alumni Center . For more information or to register to attend the awards ceremony, visit http://www.alumni.umn.edu/distinguishedteaching .
TRANSDISCIPLINARY TOBACCO USE RESEARCH CENTER
Friday, March 24, 2006, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Nicotine Actions on Brain During Developmental Critical Periods
Frances Leslie, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology, University of California , Irvine
Click here for complete schedule.
CANCER BIOLOGY RESEARCH CLUB
Friday, March 24, 2006, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 450 CCRB
A novel function for ADAP in NF-kB activation downstream of protein kinase C
Ricardo Medeiros, Ph.D, Shimizu lab
Click here for complete schedule.
BMT CONFERENCE
Monday, March 27, 2006, 2006, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Attending meeting
Click to see a complete schedule.
GRANT INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
GRANT INFORMATION
UPDATED INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING INCLUSION OF PUBLICATIONS AS APPENDIX MATERIALS
National Institutes of Health (NIH), ( http://www.nih.gov )
The purpose of this Notice is to inform applicants of a change in the approach and policy regarding the inclusion of publications as Appendix materials in NIH grant applications effective May 10, 2006. This policy applies to all grant mechanisms for which publications are acceptable Appendix material, regardless of which application form is used (e.g., PHS 398, SF424 (R&R), PHS 416-1) or the mode of submission (paper or electronic). For a complete description of the new requirements, please see the full notice at
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-06-051.html .
PRE-APPLICATION MEETING FOR CANCER GENOME CHARACTERIZATION CENTERS RFA-CA-07-014
National Cancer Institute (NCI), ( http://www.nci.nih.gov/ )
The Office of Cancer Genomics, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, will hold a pre-application meeting for investigators planning to submit applications in response to Request for Applications (RFA) CA-07-014 " Cancer Genome Characterization Centers " (U24) (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-07-014.html) released as part of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Pilot Project (http://cancergenome.nih.gov/). This pre-application meeting will be held on Friday, March 31, 2006, 9 a.m. — 1 p.m., at the William H. Natcher Conference Center , Balcony A, National Institutes of Health, 45 Center Drive , Bethesda , MD. For complete instructions and requirements, please see full notice at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-CA-06-016.html .
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.
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 Masonic Cancer Center, along with University of Minnesota Physicians’ Masonic Cancer Clinic; University of Minnesota Medical Center; 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.
THE STICK IT TO CANCER WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
Do you enjoy hockey? Want to help raise money for the Masonic 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 Masonic 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.
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.