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Researchers and Staff
October 9, 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
Cancer Center Program Meetings
Funding News and Opportunities
Today's Cancer Center Seminar
Tuesday, October 9, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Metabolic regulation of gene expression in cancer: Where the Warburg Effect meets chromatin
Avtar Roopra, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Host: Carol Lange, Ph.D.
A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Imaging and targeted therapy: Imaging as a cancer biomarker
David Mankoff, M.D., Associate Professor, Nuclear Medicine Specialist, Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine
Host: Doug Yee, M.D.
Visit the Cancer Center Seminar Series calendar for a complete schedule of lectures.
News
Members in the news
Tufia Haddad, M.D., was interviewed about breast cancer research advances at the University and the decrease in mortality from breast cancer on WCCO Radio newscasts Friday, October 5.
Kristin Anderson, Ph.D., Prevention and Etiology Program member, was quoted in a University Relations article about the Kaiser Permanente study that found that one of any kind of alcoholic beverage consumed daily raises the risk of breast cancer in women by 10 percent. Read the article on UMNnews Web site.
David Perdue, M.D., Prevention and Etiology Program member, was quoted in an article, "Colorectal cancer rates higher for Minnesota's Natives," published in Indian Country Today. The article reported on the recent Dialogue for Action summit on the unequal burden of colorectal cancer among American Indians in Minnesota. Read the article. For more information about the Dialogue for Action summit, including photos from the event, visit the Masonic Cancer Center Web site.
Program in Health Disparities Research faculty receive grants
Kola Okuyemi, M.D., M.P.H., Director for the Medical School's Program in Health Disparities Research and Prevention and Etiology Program member, 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." Jennifer Warren, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, received award notification from the American Cancer Society for a three-year postdoctoral fellowship grant. In addition to receiving mentoring and completing coursework in cancer prevention, she will be conducting a study titled "Web-based Cessation Intervention among African American Light Smokers."
New member
Marilyn S. "Susie" Nanney, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Program in Health Disparities Research
Program areas of interest: Prevention and Etiology (primary prevention of diet-related cancers and obesity)
Research interests: Community-placed behavior change (diet and activity) interventions, especially among families and young children. School-placed policy-level interventions improving the vending and snack environment. Learning from underserved families of lower socioeconomic status, from differing geographic locations, and who are racial and ethnic minorities.
Cancer Genome Atlas Data Portal available
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) announced the availability of the initial version of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Data Portal. The portal serves as a storage and data management tool for TCGA data. All genomic characterization, sequencing, and clinical data from TCGA are available within the portal. They encourage input and feedback in order to help create a fully integrated version of the portal in the coming months. Access the portal at cancergenome.nih.gov/dataportal. For more information about TCGA, visit cancergenome.nih.gov. For further assistance or to submit feedback on this version of the portal, visit ncicb.nci.nih.gov/support.
Education and Events
Stem Cell Research: At the Intersection of Science, Politics, Law and Culture
Tuesday, October 9, 2007, 12-1 p.m., Coffman Theater, University of Minnesota
Zach W. Hall, Ph.D., the Oscar M. Ruebhausen Visiting Professorship in Bioethics, Founding President, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
For more information visit the Center for Bioethics Web site.
Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 12-1 p.m. 2-120 MoosT
Beau Webber will discuss "A mitochondria-K+ channel axis is suppressed in cancer and its normalization promotes apoptosis and inhibits cancer growth" Cancer Cell, 2007; 11:37-51.
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
Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 2:30-3:30 p.m., 450 CCRB
Evaluating the clinical importance of risk factors: A dialogue between clinicians and researchers
James R. Miller, D.D.S., M.S.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Miller is a candidate for a faculty position in Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research.
Light refreshments will be served. For questions, contact Ginny Oie, 626-2902.
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
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, will present "Molecular Targets in Neuroblastoma: Clues to the Cure."
Genomics, Community, and Equity: A Continuing Dialogue
Friday, October 12, 2007, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 1645 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul
The Office of Minority and Multicultural Health at the Minnesota Department of Health will host a community forum to address genomics, community, and equity. Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, will give the keynote address.
This forum is one of five happening simultaneously in Midwestern states, including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri. Video conferencing will be used to connect the forums while they are occurring. Following the forums, an interactive Web site will allow forum participants and those who could not attend to participate in a continuing dialogue on genomics issues. The Web site will also provide additional educational materials for individuals and communities, provided by experts at the University of Michigan. The forum is free, and lunch will be provided.
For more information and to register for the forum, visit www.genocommmunity.org.
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 Masonic 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.
Clinical Research Conference
Monday, October 15, 2007, 8-9 a.m., 1-450G Moos Tower
Melissa Geller, M.D., Assistant Professor, Medical School, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, will present "Understanding the biology of ovarian cancer to develop novel therapeutic strategies."
For a complete schedule visit the Office of Clinical Research Web site.
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).
Cancer Center Program Meetings
Cancer Biology Research Club
Friday, October 12, 2007, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 450 CCRB
Why are cancer deaths decreasing? Lessons from breast cancer
Special seminar on cancer patient treatment and care/translational research
Doug Yee, M.D., Professor, Department of Medicine, Director, Masonic Cancer Center, Tickle Family Chair in Breast Cancer Research
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
BMT Conference
Monday, October 15, 2007, 1:15-2:15 p.m., Room 450, CCRB
Program meeting
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
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.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.