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.

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In This Issue

Today's Cancer Center Seminar

News

Education and Events

Cancer Center Program Meetings

Funding News and Opportunities

 

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Today's Cancer Center Seminar

Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Mouse models of NF1 and glioma
Luis F. Parada, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Center for Developmental Biology, The Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Host: Faris Farassati, Ph.D.

A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Activated AKT accelerates mammary tumorigenesis in MMTV-c-ErbB2 mice without over-expression of ErbB3
Steven M. Anderson, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Health Science Center

Hosts: Carol Lange, Ph.D., and Kaylee Schwertfeger, Ph.D.

Visit the Cancer Center Seminar Series calendar for a complete schedule of lectures.

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News

Blazar receives Academic Health Center's highest award for excellence
Bruce Blazar, M.D., professor of pediatrics in the Division of Hematology-Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, director of the Center for Translational Medicine, and co-leader of the Transplant Biology and Therapy program, was inducted into the Academic Health Center's Academy of Excellence in Health Research in a ceremony September 19. Blazar and three other faculty members join 14 other AHC researchers who have been appointed to the Academy since its inception in 2003. For more information about the inductees, visit the Academic Health Center Web site.

Okuyemi awarded $2.8 million to study homeless smokers
Kolawole Okuyemi, M.D., M.P.H., director for the Medical School's Program in Health Disparities Research and member of the Prevention and Etiology program, was recently awarded a four-year $2.8 million R01 grant by the National Institutes of Health for a study titled "Improving NRT adherence and outcomes in homeless smokers." This study fills a critical gap in smoking research by extending smoking cessation research to a poor and underserved population using pharmacotherapy and motivational counseling. Research outcomes will provide a model on overcoming barriers to cancer prevention services among homeless persons. Among the 4 million homeless people in the U.S., at least 70 percent are cigarette smokers.

Warren receives American Cancer Society grant to study Web-based smoking cessation intervention among African Americans
Jennifer Warren, Ph.D., a postdoctoral associate in the Medical School's Program in Health Disparities Research, will receive a three-year postdoctoral fellowship grant from the American Cancer Society to conduct a study titled "Web-based cessation intervention among African American light smokers." Warren will also use the funds to receive mentoring and to complete coursework in cancer prevention.

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Education and Events

Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, September 26, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 2-120 Moos Tower
Tucker LeBien, Ph.D., will discuss "Conversion of mature B cells into T cells by dedifferentiation to uncommitted progenitors," Cobaleda C. et al 2007. Nature Advance Online Publication Sept 12.

The Cancer Biology Journal Club is held every Wednesday. For more information contact Sonja Johnson (john4368@umn.edu) or Rachel Bergerson (sapl0005@umn.edu).

Special Seminar
Thursday, September 27, 2007, 2-3 p.m., 450 CCRB
Pilot study of vascular endothelial function during hematopoietic cell transplantation
Angela R. Smith, M.D., University of Minnesota Fellow, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Refreshments will be provided.

Open House at Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center
Thursday, September 27, 2007, 5-8 p.m., 14500 99th Avenue N., Maple Grove
The public is invited to meet the physicians and staff at the newly opened Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center. Fairview has partnered with University of Minnesota Physicians to offer convenient access to coordinated, patient-centered care in more than 20 specialties, including cancer. Cancer Center members who will be treating patients in Maple Grove include Levi Downs, Jr., M.D., Kathryn Dusenbery, M.D., Milena Elimelakh, M.D., Maria Evasovich, M.D., Edward Greeno, M.D., Maria Hordinsky, M.D., Todd Tuttle, M.D., and Selwyn Vickers, M.D. The event will include a Cancer U: Ask The Experts program about breast cancer (see below) as well as facility tours, activities and prizes for children, demonstrations, refreshments, and door prizes. For more information, visit the University of Minnesota Physicians Web site.

Cancer U: Ask The Experts: Breast cancer: Advances in screening, diagnosis, and treatment, and what we know about diet and exercise
Thursday, September 27, 2007, 6-8 p.m., Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center, 14500 99th Avenue N.
This free educational event will provide cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and others interested in learning more about breast cancer with an opportunity to get accurate information from University of Minnesota cancer researchers and physicians. Speakers will include Mimi Yu, Ph.D., cancer epidemiologist; Tufia Haddad, M.D., medical oncologist; and Michael Nelson, M.D., radiologist. For more information and to pre-register, visit the Web site.

The Minnesota Chemoprevention Consortium - MC2
Friday, September 28, 2007, 12-3 p.m., 450 CCRB
MC2 is a new venture formed collaboratively by investigators at the Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Hormel Institute, Southern Research and Outreach Center, and Hormel Foods. The mission of the consortium is to facilitate and implement interdisciplinary agent development and delivery for cancer prevention. The meeting agenda is:

12-12:30 p.m. - Paul Limburg, M.D., M.P.H.: Current funding opportunities and discussion of collaborative projects"
12:30-1:30 p.m.- Zigang Dong, M.D., Ph.D., and Ann Bode, Ph.D.: "Overview of chemoprevention research at the Hormel Institute"
1:30-2:30 p.m. - Vince Fritz, Ph.D., and Phil Minerich: Food-based approaches to chemoprevention
2:30-3 p.m. - Bruce Blazar, M.D., The Center for Translational Medicine at the University of Minnesota

Lunch will be provided. Please contact Bob Carlson, carls307@umn.edu, if you plan to attend.

Cancer Biology Research Club
Friday, September 28, 2007, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 450 CCRB
Cancer and immune networks: Tumor mediated regulation of antigen presentation by DC dictates T cell responses
Mike Gerner, Cancer Biology Training Grant predoctoral fellow, Mescher lab

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

Living with Breast Cancer: 6th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Educational Conference
Saturday, October 6, 2007, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center
The Living for Breast Cancer conference provides education and resources for breast cancer survivors and their families and friends. At this year's conference, Susan Pappas-Varco, R.N., M.A., breast cancer program coordinator for University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, will receive an award recognizing her as one of Minnesota's leading experts in the field of patient care and breast cancer. Cancer Center members presenting at the conference include Cancer Center Director Doug Yee, M.D., who will speak during the "Clinical Trials and Advocacy: Knowledge is Power" session; Barbara Bowers, M.D., medical director for the Fairview Southdale Breast Center, will present "Oncology: Updates on the Front"; and Michael Nelson, M.D., will present "New Modalities in Imaging: The Cutting Edge." For more information about the conference and to register, visit the Breast Cancer Awareness Association Web site.

2nd Annual Children's Cancer Research Fund Norma K.C. Ramsay, M.D., Distinguished Visiting Professor Lectureship
Friday, October 12, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Molecular targets in neuroblastoma: Clues to the cure
Katherine K. Matthay, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics; Chief, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology; and Mildred V. Strouss Endowed Chair for Translational Research in Pediatric Oncology, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine

Cancer Benefit Fund: Dancing for Life
Saturday, October 13, 2007, 6:30-10 p.m., Medtronic, Fridley
Enjoy a variety of wines, delicious hors d'oeuvres, entertainment, dancing, a silent auction, and a chance to win a dream vacation at the Cancer Benefit Fund's annual event to raise funds for cancer research and for support for those living with cancer. So far, the Cancer Benefit Fund has raised nearly $500,000 to help in the fight against cancer. At this year's event, 75 percent of the proceeds will go to the Cancer Center; the remaining 25 percent will go to the HealthEast Healing Partners Program. Cancer Center Director Doug Yee will attend the event to thank the Cancer Benefit Fund for its support since 2002. Visit the Cancer Benefit Fund Web site for more information and to purchase tickets ($50 through October 1; then $75).

Whether or not you're able to attend the Cancer Benefit Fund event, you are invited to donate auction items including gift certificates, airline miles, or small items that could be grouped with other things for baskets. Contact Barb Fellegy at fellegy1@comcast.net if you would like to make a donation.

The Children's Cancer Research Fund's 27th Dawn of a Dream®: 'Be Amazing'
Saturday, November 3, 2007, Milwaukee Road Depot, Minneapolis
The 27th annual Dawn of a Dream Gala, presented by the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation, will be headlined by three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist Keb' Mo'. Keb' Mo's music is a living link to the seminal Delta blues, which has evolved into a universally celebrated art form. The evening will also feature dinner, dancing, live and silent auction. Tickets are available for purchase on the Children's Cancer Research Fund Web site ($250/$200 tax deductible).

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Cancer Center Program Meetings

Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program Seminar
Thursday, September 27, 2007, 4-5 p.m., 3-110 Moos Tower
Inactivation of ARF & SNF and other reasons dogs get cancer
Jaime Modiano, D.V.M., Ph.D., Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences

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

BMT Conference
Monday, September 24, 2007, 1:15-2:15 p.m., Room 450, CCRB
Attending meeting
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

Population Sciences Faculty Town Meeting
Wednesday, October 3, 2007, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-520 Moos Tower
Lunch will be served. For more information and the register contact: Ginny Oie, oie@umn.edu. RSVP required by Sept. 28.

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Funding News and Opportunities

American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant
Deadline: October 15, 2007
Funding: 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 calling LeAnn Micek, 612-626-1926, micek003@unn.edu.

Multidisciplinary Fellowships in Cancer Nanotechnology Research (F32 and F33)
(RFA-CA-08-003)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): December 20, 2007
Funding: Stipend, Tuition, Institutional Allowance, Other Training Costs (+overhead)
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is designed to support the multidisciplinary training of individuals with background in the basic, biomedical, clinical, and information sciences and/or engineering who are pursuing research that applies the development and application of nanotechnology to the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and/or treatment of cancer.

NCI Limited Competition: Cooperative Human Tissue Network-CHTN (U01)
(RFA-CA-08-503)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): October 30, 2007
Funding: Up to $833,000 in direct costs/yr. for 5 years
The Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites competing renewal applications from the current Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) awardees to collect and distribute high quality human tissue specimens to facilitate basic and developmental cancer research.  This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is designed to continue the mission of CHTN to: (1) prospectively collect and distribute high quality tissue specimens to investigators throughout North America and elsewhere; (2) assist individual investigators with regard to specific needs of their research; (3) assist in developing and disseminating knowledge on high quality practices for successfully operating a biospecimen repository; and (4) educate the community about the importance of the availability of high quality human tissue specimens to medical research.

Request for Applications in Ovarian Cancer Research
Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer
Application receipt Date: 7 p.m. CST, Dec. 3, 2007
Funding: $30,000/yr for 1 year (Direct Costs only, no F&A)

Pilot Studies: The pilot study program awards will support investigator initiated projects in all areas of ovarian cancer research. Priority for funding will be given to proposals that are: innovative, multidisciplinary, likely to lead to a submission of grant applications for independently funded investigations, and have translational research potential.

Scientific Scholar Awards: The Scientific Scholar Award is intended to assist promising laboratory and clinical scientist to pursue a career as an independent investigator in ovarian cancer research. Potential candidates will have an M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree with career goals focused on ovarian cancer.

Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.

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