Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota

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Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota

Cancer Center Update is sent to Cancer Center members and staff every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Please submit items to Sandi Sherman, sherm019@umn.edu, by noon the previous Friday.

In This Issue

Today's Cancer Center Seminar

News

Education and Events

Cancer Center Program Meetings

Grant Information and Announcements

Today's Cancer Center Seminar

Tuesday, February 13, 2007, 12-1 p.m., CCRB
FGFR-mediated changes in the microenvironment are critical for preneoplastic progression in the mammary gland
Kathryn (Kaylee) L. Schwertfeger, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Lab Medicine and Pathology Department, University of Minnesota

A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, February 20, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Licensed to cause chaos: Mcm4 and breast cancer
Naoko Shima, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota

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

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News

Members in the news

Tim Church, Ph.D., and Ken Koeneman, M.D., were quoted about the PSA test and prostate cancer in a February 5 Pioneer Press front-page article titled "A Cancer Quandary." Visit www.twincities.com to search for the archived article (registration and payment required).

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., was a panel participant testifying before The President's Cancer Panel in Mississippi on February 12, 2007. She discussed potential reduced exposure tobacco products, the need for tobacco regulation, and the research required for tobacco product evaluation. Last week, Hatsukami spoke on the current state of the science regarding smokeless tobacco issues at a forum on Smokeless Tobacco and Tobacco Control sponsored by the Health Ministry of Canada.

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Cancer Center in the community

Community speaking engagements by Cancer Center members in January included: Marva Bohen, R.N., gave a presentation titled "Understanding Cancer" for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Minnesota; she also gave the presentation to a group of Oromo women at the Brian Coyle Community Center in Minneapolis. Christopher Pennell, Ph.D., spoke to middle school students at St. Peter Claver School in St. Paul; and he gave a presentation at Boston Scientific in Maple Grove. Cancer Center members often speak to student and community groups about cancer biology, specific cancers, and cancer research. Visit the Masonic Cancer Center Web site to learn how you can participate.

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Education and Events

Cancer Biology Journal Club

Wednesday, February 14, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 5-122 MCB
Jon Larson, MICaB Graduate Program, will discuss the journal article "Analysis of gene expression and chemoresistance of CD133+ cancer stem cells in glioblastoma," Liu G, et al., Molecular Cancer, 2006;5:67.

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 Bergerson (sapl0005@umn.edu).

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Program in Health Disparities Research Roundtable

Thursday, February 15, 2007, 3:15-5 p.m., 4-180 Weaver-Densford Hall
The February 15-16 Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series in Health Disparities events featuring Dr. Loretta Jemmott has been cancelled due to poor weather and poor travel conditions on the East Coast. This includes her February 16 noon lecture.

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Office of Clinical Research and Health Disparities Seminar

Friday, February 16, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 1-450G Moos Tower
The February 15-16 Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series in Health Disparities events featuring Dr. Loretta Jemmott has been cancelled due to poor weather and poor travel conditions on the East Coast. This includes her February 16 noon lecture.

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Cancer and the Human Body exhibit

Saturday, February 24, 1-4 p.m., Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul
The Masonic Cancer Center's seventh annual Cancer and the Human Body event at the Science Museum of Minnesota will include hands-on exhibits where visitors of all ages can learn about cancer and the research being done to understand the disease. Visitors will learn how zebrafish help researchers understand angiogenesis; what normal cells look like compared to cancer cells; what cancer looks like in the body; and the importance of sun safety in preventing skin cancer. Read more.

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AHC History Project Launch Celebration

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 4-5:30 p.m., Mayo Auditorium
B.J. Kennedy and the campaign for medical oncology
Gretchen Krueger, Ph.D., historical consultant for the American Society of Clinical Oncology

The AHC History Project, a collaborative effort between the AHC and the University Libraries, will ensure that the rich history of the Academic Health Center is preserved within the University Archives. Learn more by reading the project archivist's blog. For further information contact: Jenny Meslow, 612-626-7072, meslo001@umn.edu.

Sponsored by: Office of the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences; Friends of the Libraries; Wangensteen Historical Library; Program in the History of Medicine; University Libraries.

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NCI's Center of Excellence in Chromosome Biology Conference

The Current Status of Chromosome and Chromatin Biology Research
April 26-27, 2007, Natcher Conference Center, NIH Campus
Registration deadline: March, 26, 2007
Poster abstract deadline: March 16, 2007

Join many of the leading researchers from NCI and around the world, who will present highlights of recent advances, define novel directions of basic chromosome research, and discuss the use and implications of these advances for clinical applications. Topics include: Transcriptional regulation, Chromatic structure, Epigenetics , DNA replication and repair , Nuclear architecture. Speakers include: Genevieve Almouzni, Ph.D., Frederick Alt, Ph.D., Michael Bustin, Ph.D., Carlo Croce, M.D., Titia de Lange, Ph.D., Shiv Grewal, Ph.D., Mark Groudine, M.D., Ph.D., Gordon Hager, Ph.D., Stephen Jackson, Ph.D., Jeannie Lee, Ph.D., Michael Lichten, Ph.D., James McNally, Ph.D., Tom Misteli, Ph.D., David Pellman, M.D., Robert Roeder, Ph.D., David Spector, Ph.D., Thea Tlsty, Ph.D., Robert Tijan, Ph.D., Carl Wu, Ph.D., Yi Zhang, Ph.D., and others.

Registration is free but space is limited. For information, registration and poster abstract submission, visit the Web site. Individuals with disabilities who need Sign Language Interpreters and/or reasonable accommodation to participate in this program should contact Brenda Boersma-Maland, Ph.D., NCI/Center for Cancer Research by phone at (301) 402-5055 or by email at mboersmab@mail.nih.gov, and/or the Federal Relay (1-800-877-8339). Requests should be made at least 5 days in advance of the event.

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Cancer Center Program Meetings

Cancer Metastasis and Progression Program meeting

Wednesday, February 14, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Identification and validation of biomarkers for ovarian cancer
Amy Skubitz, Ph.D.,Associate Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Minnesota

For a complete schedule visit the Web site.

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Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program meeting

Thursday, February 15, 2007, 4:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Human lung cytochrome P450 2A13: Correlations between ligand morphology and active site structure
Emily E. Scott, Ph.D., Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas

For a complete schedule visit the Web site.

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Epidemiology Interest Group

Friday, February 16, 2007, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., A-110 Mayo
Apiaceae and biotransformation: implications for cancer prevention
Sabrina Peterson, Ph.D., R.D., Assistant Professor of Foods and Health, Department of Food Science and Nutrition

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

For a complete schedule visit the Web site.

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Cancer Biology Research Club

Friday, February 16, 2007, 450 CCRB
No meeting due to MICaB Recruiting day. There is a poster session in 450 CCRB.

For a complete schedule visit the Web site.

BMT Conference

Monday, February 19, 2007, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Transplantation for the older patient with AML and MDS
Betul Oran, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Boston University Medical Center

BMT Faculty candidate hosted by: Daniel Weisdorf, M.D

For a complete schedule visit the Web site.

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Grant Information and Announcements

Announcement

The American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) (Limited Competition U01) National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): April 10, 2007

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NIH funding opportunities

The American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) (Limited Competition U01)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): April 10, 2007

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Other funding Opportunities

Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research
Nomination deadline April 30, 2007

The Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research recognizes a new generation of leaders in cancer research, who are making significant contributions to the understanding of cancer or are improving the treatment of the disease through basic or clinical research. The prize is intended to encourage young investigators who have a unique opportunity to help shape the future of cancer research.

The prize is awarded to up to three investigators every other year. Nominees are required to be age 45 or younger on the date of the submission deadline. Recipients are selected by a panel of investigators from leading research institutions. The winners present their work at a scientific symposium at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Each receives a medal and they share a cash award of $150,000. For further information, visit the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Web site.

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