Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota

 

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Cancer Center Update

March 27, 2007

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, March 27, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
New approaches to Sleeping Beauty models of cancer
Adam Dupuy, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa

Host: David Largaespada, Ph.D.

A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, April 3, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Deciphering the complexities of cancer in mouse models
Terry VanDyke, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Host: Paul Marker

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

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News

Mark your calendar: April 12 reception for Dr. Yee and Dr. Kersey

All Cancer Center faculty and staff are invited to a reception to welcome Douglas Yee, M.D., to his new position as director of our Cancer Center, and to recognize Dr. Kersey for his 15 years of service as the founding director. The reception will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, April 12, in Room 450 with the program starting at 10:45 a.m. Refreshments and light foods will be served. Watch Update for information about guest speakers. Visit the Web site to read the news release about Dr. Yee's appointment.

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Neglia to serve as interim head of pediatrics

Joseph Neglia, M.D., will serve as interim head of the Department of Pediatrics, effective May 1. Neglia is section chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, holds the Albert D. and Eva J. Corniea Chair, and is a leader in the Cancer Center's studies of long-term survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers.

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Cerra sends legislative update to AHC faculty and staff

The following message from Frank Cerra, Senior Vice-President for Health Sciences, appeared in AHC News Capsules:

"I was disappointed to learn this week that the House did not include the Biomedical Sciences Research Facilities Authority in its Omnibus Capital Investment Finance bill. Apparently they believe that funding one building at a time in the same old process is responding to the University's needs. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our ability to plan for recruitments and retentions and compete with other outstanding universities is based on predictability with space to house academic work. The old model means we're constantly playing catch up for the needs of faculty who are here. The Facilities Authority provides the means to leap into the future and plan for growth in areas of excellence. We need the Senate to hear from us that the Facilities Authority is a key for our future success on behalf of Minnesota. To learn more about the Facilities Authority, go to the University Relations Web site (PDF)."

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University of Minnesota produces new Web site promoting Twin Cities to potential faculty

To help meet faculty recruiting objectives, the University's Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost has produced a new brochure and Web site titled "Wish You Were Here" to promote the advantages of living and working in the Twin Cities. The Web site features a voice-over by Garrison Keillor and videos of faculty talking about arts and culture, recreational opportunities, and family activities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The site also provides information about the local economy, transportation, and neighborhoods. A link to the site is available on the Cancer Center's Employment Opportunities page.

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East Gateway District stadium construction impacts parking and campus connector

Several road projects related to the construction of the new football stadium and research facilities in the East Gateway District of the University are scheduled in the coming months. In addition, a number of surface parking lots will be closed. For more information, visit the Parking and Transportation Web site.

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Registration opens for Cancer Center Spring Poster Session and Symposium April 2

Online registration for the Eighth Annual Spring Poster Session and Symposium will open Monday, April 2, 2007 with a final deadline of April 27, 2007. This event is sponsored by the Cancer Center Core Facilities and will be held Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Students, staff, postdocs and PIs are invited to participate by presenting a poster. The research presented in the poster must include the use of a Cancer Center Cores Facility.

For more information, visit the Cancer Center Web site, or contact Sabine Fritz at 4-7151, fritz017@umn.edu.

 

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Education and Events

Cancer Biology Journal Club

Wednesday, March 28, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 5-122 MCB
David Largaespada, Ph.D., will discuss two papers: Greenman C, et al. "Patterns of somatic mutation in human cancer genomes." Nature. 2007;446:153-158; and Thomas RK, et al. "High-throughput oncogene mutation profiling in human cancer." Nat Genet. 2007;39:347-351.

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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Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disease conference

Wednesday, March 28, 2007, 4 p.m., 450 CCRB
High Risk Rhadomyosarcoma
Paul Harker-Murray, M.D., Fellow, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT

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Department of Pediatrics recruitment seminar

Friday, March 30, 2007, 1-2 p.m., 450 CCRB
Deregulated control of Rb/E2F-induced proliferation and apoptosis in cancer
Timothy C. Hallstrom, Ph.D., Duke Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, Durham, North Carolina

Dr. Hallstrom is a faculty candidate in Molecular Oncology, Department of Pediatrics. For further information, contact Arlys Clements at 626-2961.

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Survivorship Series: 'A Focus on Fertility'

Saturday, April 14, 2007, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota, 200 Oak Street S.E., Minneapolis, Minnesota
In this free educational conference on childhood cancer survivorship, learn about fertility and relationships after cancer from experts in the long-term effects of cancer therapy. Learn more and register.

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Cancer Summit 2007

Tuesday, May 8, 2007, Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center
Health care professionals, advocates, and cancer survivors will discuss how cultivating leadership can strengthen comprehensive cancer control in Minnesota at the fourth annual Cancer Summit, hosted by the Minnesota Cancer Alliance. The keynote speaker will be Tom Kean, M.P.H., executive director of C-Change.

The Summit will feature breakout sessions ranging from primary prevention to palliative care, and discussions with cancer experts, including the directors of the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic cancer centers. The Summit is open to anyone interested in learning about Minnesota cancer control efforts. Continuing education credits will be offered. The Cancer Center will pay the Cancer Summit registration fee for members and staff. Visit the Cancer Center Web site for more details.

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Cancer Center Program Meetings

Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program meeting

Thursday, March 29, 2007, 4:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Modulation of carcinogen activation and signaling pathways by plant phenols
Wanda Baer-Dubowska, Ph.D., Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland

For a complete schedule visit the Web site.

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Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program meeting

Thursday, March 29, 2007, 4-5 p.m., 3-110 Moos Tower
Gene discovery using retroviral vectors: from cancer to HIV
Nikunj Somia, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development

For a complete schedule visit the Web site.

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Cancer Biology Research Club

Friday, March 30, 2007, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., 450 CCRB
Novel antiangiogenic compounds that inhibit tumor growth
Ruud Dings, Ph.D., Mayo lab

For a complete schedule visit the Web site.

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BMT Conference

Monday, April 2, 2007, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Update of allogeneic NK cell therapies: from lab to clinic
Sarah Cooley, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine Division of HOT, University of Minnesota

For a complete schedule visit the Web site.

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Grant Information and Announcements

Translational Tobacco Use Research Center (TTURC) Pilot Grants Program

Deadline: April 24, 2007
The purpose of the TTURC Pilot Grants Program is to provide rapid access to seed money to support innovative studies aimed at reducing the harm from tobacco dependence, or strategies to reduce tobacco use among populations that have been refractory to smoking cessation efforts. Proposals may involve any level of inquiry, e.g. molecular, genetic, preclinical, clinical, epidemiologic or public policy. More information and application instructions for this and other pilot grants available through the Cancer Center are available on the Web site.

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American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant

Deadline: April 16, 2007
Amount: Up to $30,000
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. Applications may be obtained by contacting LeAnn Micek, 612-626-1926, micek003@umn.edu.

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