Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota

 

Print this page. Mail this link to a friend.

Cancer Center Update

October 10 , 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:


Today's Cancer Center Seminar

 

News

Events

Professional Education and Events

Grant Information and Annoucements

Reminders

Today's Cancer Center Seminar

October 10, 2006, 12-1 p.m., (Note: Temporary room change to 2-650 Moos Tower)
Protein kinase CK2 signal - A key potential target for cancer therapy
Khalil Ahmed, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Senior Research Career Scientist and Chief, Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry Lab, Minneapolis VA Medical Center

A peek at next week's seminar:

October 17, 2006, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB Nutrition, epigenetics and disease susceptibility
Randy Jirtle, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University

Host: Julie Ross, Ph.D.

For a complete schedule visit the Masonic Cancer Center Web site Seminar Series listing.

Back to top

News

Members in the News

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., director of the Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center at the Masonic Cancer Center, was quoted about the nicotine vaccine research and clinical trial she is leading in an October 1 Chicago Tribune story "Can vaccines cure our bad habits." The story was also picked up by the Seattle Times, Baltimore Sun, Arizona Daily Star and other newspapers across the country. Links to the story in the Chicago Tribune and Seattle Times are available on the Academic Health Center's home page. Dr. Hatsukami also was quoted with other tobacco researchers from across the country in an article in the Boston Globe on October 8, 2006, about the manufacturing and marketing of potentially reduced exposure products (PREP) and smokeless tobacco.

Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., leader of Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program, was quoted on Forbes.com regarding a commentary he wrote about another researcher's finding of a potent tobacco carcinogen.

David Potter, M.D., recently recruited breast cancer specialist and new member of the Masonic Cancer Center, was quoted in a WCCO-TV news report on inflammatory breast cancer. Visit WCCO's Web site .

Back to top

Kudos

Andy Wilber, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Scott McIvor, Ph.D., Cancer Center Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program member, was awarded the Dirk van Bekkum Award at the recent annual scientific meeting of the International Society for Experimental Hematology. The award was presented for work performed in collaboration with Dan Kaufman M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Stem Cell Institute and member of the Masonic Cancer Center's Transplant Biology and Therapy Research Program. Wilber's talk, "Use of the Sleeping Beauty transposon system for genetic engineering of human embryonic stem cell-derived hematopoietic cells" was chosen to be presented in the New Investigator Session. Congratulations to Andy, Scott, and Dan!

Back to top

Public jobs, private data training required for all faculty and staff

For more than a year, the U of M and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) have worked together to develop "Public Jobs: Private Data," an easy, Web-based program to give all employees the training they need to be responsible stewards of public data and public trust. The new training covers not only HIPAA but other federal and state laws and U policies. Academic Health Center faculty and staff are completing the three primary 15-minute segments now. Cancer Center employees have received e-mail notices regarding which courses they are required to complete. Read more.

Back to top

Herberger's 'Charge Against Breast Cancer' promotion benefits Cancer Center

Herberger's stores are holding their annual "Charge Against Breast Cancer" fund-raising initiative in October. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and throughout the month, a portion of the proceeds from "Passion for Pink" items as well as from all customer purchases made on a store credit card in Minnesota will be donated to the Masonic Cancer Center for breast cancer research. Since the program began, $324,233 has been raised for breast cancer research at the University of Minnesota. For more information about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month resources and events visit the Masonic Cancer Center Web site.

Back to top

News from your Cancer Center stories picked up by UMN News

Two stories that appeared in the first issue of the News from your Cancer Center newsletter appeared on the UMN News Web site. "Surviving melanoma: University of Minnesota undertakes clinical trials for skin cancer" appeared in the edition published on October 6, 2006 and "Seed money key to cancer research" was published on October 4. The story on melanoma research currently appears on the home page of the University of Minnesota's Web site. The story includes a link to the Masonic Cancer Center for more information.

Back to top

Events

Cancer Biology Journal Club

Wednesday, October 11, 2006, 12-1 p.m., 5-122 MCB
Eric P Rahrmann, MCDB&G graduate student, will discuss Liang C, Feng P, Ku B, et al. "Autophagic and tumour suppressor activity of a novel Beclin1-binding protein." Nat Cell Biol. 2006; 8:688-698.

The Cancer Biology Journal Club is held every Wednesday. A complete schedule is available at the MICaB Web site. For more information contact: Sonja Johnson (john4368@umn.edu) or Rachel Saplis (sapl0005@umn.edu).

Back to top

Cancer Center's Cancer U: Ask the experts about women's cancers, Thursday, October 12

Thursday, Oct. 12, 6-8 p.m., Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN

The Masonic Cancer Center's Cancer U: Ask the Experts fall series continues Thursday, Oct. 12 with "Women and Cancer: Advances in Research and Treatment." University of Minnesota experts will discuss and answer questions about gynecologic cancer prevention, screening, and treatment; and new advances and treatments for breast cancer. Learn more and register online at the Masonic Cancer Center Web site.

Back to top

Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health Seminar

Obstetrics, gynecology, and women's health is the topic of the 37th Annual Autumn Seminar, to be held October 12-13, 2006 at The Depot, 225 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis. The seminar is sponsored by the University of Minnesota Medical School, the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, and Continuing Medical Education. It is designed for specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, family physicians, and other health professionals involved in the field of women's health. Presenters include Susan Pappas-Varco, R.N., Cancer Center member and breast cancer program coordinator. For more information visit the Continuing Medical Education Web site

Back to top

'Cooking for a Cure' benefit October 21, 2006

Saturday, October 21, 2006, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Medtronic, Fridley, MN

Cooking for a Cure is a food and wine tasting event sponsored by the Cancer Benefit Fund. Seventy-five percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Masonic Cancer Center. Visit the Cancer Benefit Fund Web site for more information and to purchase tickets.

Back to top

Professional Education and Seminars

Cancer Biology Research Club

Friday, October 13, 2006, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 6-120 NHH (NOTE room change) Gone fishing: The search for vascular genes through morpholino-knockdown in zebrafish Michelle Knowlton, Ekker lab

Refreshments will be available. For a complete schedule visit the Web site.

Back to top

BMT Conference

Monday, October 16, 2006, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 5-125 MoosT.
(Due to the remodeling of 450 CCRB, the BMT Conferences on October 9th and 16th will be held in 5-125 MT.)

Total marrow irradiation using tomotherapy in stem cell transplantation: theoretical aspects and experience to date
Susanta K Hui, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Therapeutic Radiology
Kathryn E. Dusenbery, M.D., Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Therapeutic Radiology
Michael R. Verneris, M.D., Assistant Professor, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplant

For a complete schedule, visit our Web site.

Back to top

Grant Information and Annoucements

American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant opportunity

American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant applications are being accepted until October 16, 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 $25,000. Applications may be obtained by calling 612-626-1926 or sending email to micek003@tc.umn.edu.

Back to top

Manufactured Nanomaterials: Physico-chemical Principles of Biocompatibility and Toxicity (R01)


National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): January 12, 2007

Back to top

2007 Kimmel Scholar and Translational Science Awards

Application deadline: December 5, 2006

The Kimmel Scholar Award

The Kimmel Foundation is seeking accomplished young investigators dedicated to a career in cancer research. Successful applicants will receive $100,000 per year for two years. Applications are limited to those who achieved the equivalent rank of Assistant Professor on or after July, 2003. However, physicians who have both clinical and research responsibility are eligible if appointed on or after July, 2002. These awards are designed for researchers who do not yet have their own R01 funding. Applicants will be judged on the basis of quality of prior work, research proposed and letters of support. Applicants for 2007 awards will be notified by mid-April, 2007.

The Kimmel Translational Science Award

The Foundation provides five additional awards specifically for physicians engaged in translational science. Eligibility includes those with M.D. or equivalent degrees, who have achieved the rank of Assistant Professor on or after July, 2002. Candidates must not hold R01 funding for the laboratory component of their cancer research. Applicants must demonstrate a significant personal involvement in the laboratory component of the translational project described. The translational research may involve primarily animal studies but must include reasonable application to subsequent human investigation.

Back to top

Reminders

Cancer will be the focus of next Mini Medical School

Cancer Center researchers will be the speakers at this fall's Mini Medical School, which will focus on cancer. The topics for the four sessions include: What is cancer?; cancer risks, reality and myths; common cancers; and treatments and innovations. Watch future issues of Update for session descriptions and information about speakers. The series will be offered from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday evenings, November 6, 13, 20, and 27, at Coffman Memorial Union Theater. Cost is $60 for the four classes. Registration is available online at Academic Health Center's Web site. Please encourage people you know who may be interested in learning more about cancer to register soon because space is limited.

Support the Children's Cancer Research Fund when you shop  

Just shop online at your favorite stores, or explore the many other affiliates available, and a percentage of each purchase will be donated to the Children's Cancer Research Fund. Start shopping at the Children's Cancer Research Fund "Shop CCRF" Web site. 

Children's Cancer Research Fund 2006 Dawn of a Dream Benefit - "Journey to the Ends of the Earth" - tickets are now on sale

In 1980, after losing their daughter to leukemia, Diana and Norm Hageboeck and their friends organized the first Dawn of a Dream benefit concert, raising $50,000. Today, Dawn of a Dream is one of the largest gala events in the Twin Cities. This year's event, on Saturday, November 4, 2006 will feature a few surprises along with the traditional silent and live auctions, dinner, and live entertainment by Los Lobos. Don't miss your chance to attend the event and support Children's Cancer Research Fund! For more information and to reserve your Journey to the Ends of the Earth tickets now visit the Children's Cancer Research Fund Web site.  

Back to top