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

Employment Opportunities

 

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Today's Cancer Center Seminar

Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Immune suppression, inflammation, and tumor progression
Suzanne Ostrand-Rosenberg, Ph.D., Professor of Biological Sciences, Robert and Jane Meyerhoff Professor of Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County

Host: Yoji Shimizu, Ph.D.

A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, November 6, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Unraveling the mechanisms of human papillomavirus-mediated cancer
Paul Lambert, Ph.D., Professor of Oncology, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Host: Louis Mansky, Ph.D.

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

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News

Members in the news

Todd Tuttle, M.D., Breast Cancer Research Program member, was quoted by the Associated Press, New York Times, Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, Minnesota News Network, CNN, Reuters and other national and international news outlets about his study showing that more women diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast are choosing to have contralateral prophylactic mastectomy surgery. Read the news release.

Douglas Yee, M.D., Cancer Center director, discussed research and treatment advances for breast cancer on WCCO Radio's Mondale & Jones program October 24.

Tufia Haddad, M.D., Cancer Center member, discussed breast cancer clinical trials and treatment on KARE 11's Minnesota Showcase program October 26.

Michael Nelson, M.D., and Patrick Bolan, Ph.D., Breast Cancer Research Program members, were quoted in an article about MRI/MRS for breast cancer in the Minnesota Daily.

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., co-leader of the Prevention and Etiology Program, was quoted in an October 25 Star Tribune article about the National Conference on Tobacco or Health. The conference, held in Minneapolis last week, was attended by more than 3,000 tobacco researchers and experts from around the world.

Ross testifies in support of Childhood Cancer Research Network before U.S. Senate committee
Julie Ross, Ph.D., director of pediatric cancer epidemiology and clinical research at the University of Minnesota, and associate director of population sciences for the University of Minnesota Cancer Center, testified October 26, 2007, before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Ross' testimony was in support of the Childhood Cancer Research Network (CCRN), which is part of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act (S. 911), a bill that is currently under review by the Committee. The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act would require the National Institutes of Health to award a grant for the operation of the CCRN, a national nearly population-based registry affiliated with the Children's Oncology Group. Read a transcript of her testimony

Cancer Center members to speak at lymphoma workshop
Cancer Center members Marcie Tomblyn, M.D., Daniel Weisdorf, M.D., and Kim Bohjanen, M.D., are scheduled to present at "Lymphoma Workshop: Understanding Lymphoma Basics and Current Treatment Options," Saturday, November 3 at the Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Hotel. Read more about this event.

New Members

Mark A. Klein, M.D.
Instructor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation
Program area(s) of interest: Cancer Progression and Metastasis, Translational Research
Clinical focus: Thoracic cancer; head and neck cancer
Research interest: Drug discovery targeting protein-protein interactions. One project involves the use of multiple modalities to discover peptidomimetic compounds that mimic the activity of tumor suppressor protein p16ink4a. A separate project involves utilization of the same modalities in targeting hyaluronan-cellular interactions.

Hiroshi Nakato, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
Program area of interest: Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer
Research interest: We study the roles of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in developmental processes such as growth factor signaling, morphogen gradient formation, and stem cell niche, using Drosophila genetics as our model.

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Education and Events

University of Minnesota Supercomputing Institute Luncheon Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 404 Walter Library The University of Minnesota Supercomputing Institute (MSI) provides high-performance computing resources on a peer-reviewed basis, as well as software and user support at no charge to University of Minnesota faculty and their research groups. Currently, over 350 research groups from all colleges at the University use MSI resources.

Learn about the resources and services MSI offers. The MSI can assist faculty with research projects and grant proposals. New faculty and faculty who are not currently utilizing MSI's resources are especially encouraged to attend.

Register at the MSI Web site.

Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 12-1 p.m. 2-120 Moos Tower
Eric Rahrmann, will discuss "Mesenchymal stem cells within tumour stroma promote breast cancer metastasis" Nature 2007;449:557-565.

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

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 Outcomes and Survivorship Research Group Seminar
Monday, November 5, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 2-118 Moos Tower
Decision Modeling for Cancer Control and Prevention
Karen Kuntz, Sc.D., Professor, Division of Health Policy and Management

Lunch will be available. RSVP to drei0022@umn.edu by Friday, November 2, 2007 if you plan to attend.

Engebretson Symposium in Drug Discovery and Development of Natural Products
Monday, November 12, 2007, 12:45-5:15 p.m., Radisson University Hotel Ballroom, 615 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis
Click for a PDF copy of the schedule.

Cancer Center Staff and Faculty Recognition Program
Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 2 p.m., 450 CCRB
Cancer Center faculty and staff are invited to the quarterly Recognition Program. Leaders from the Cancer Center's Population Sciences program will provide an update of the program's activities and research, and they will present a recognition award to an individual or group for their outstanding contribution to the Cancer Center's mission. Refreshments will be served.

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Cancer Center Program Meetings

Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program Seminar
Thursday, November 1, 2007, 4:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Ritonavir: From Drug to Pathways in Breast Cancer
David A. Potter, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota

Light refreshments will be available.

For a complete schedule visit the Web site.

Cancer Biology Research Club
Friday, November 2, 2007, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 450 CCRB
Special seminar on cancer patient treatment and care/translational research
Rectal cancer
David Rothenberger, M.D., Deputy Chairman and Professor, Department of Surgery, Associate Director for Clinical Research and Programs, University of Minnesota Cancer Center

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

BMT Conference
Monday, November 5, 2007, 1:15-2:15 p.m., Room 450 CCRB
3 is the Charm
Claudio Brunstein, M.D., Assistant Professor, HOT, Department of Medicine
and
IPS After Stem Cell Transplant
Brian McClune, M.D., Assistant Professor, HOT, Department of Medicine

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

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Funding News and Opportunities

The American Cancer Society Mary Hendrickson-Johnson Melanoma Professorship
Letter of Intent: December 15, 2007
Application Deadline: April 1, 2008
The American Cancer Society Mary Hendrickson-Johnson Melanoma Professorship is intended for an outstanding mid-career investigator who has made a seminal contribution that has changed the direction of cancer research and who continues to provide leadership in this research area. Applications from distinguished investigators in the area of melanoma research, including research in the areas of etiology, genetics, pathogenesis, diagnosis or treatment of melanoma, are requested. For details, visit the Web site.

Endocrine Society Bridge Grant Program
Application Deadlines: December 1, 2007 and May 1, 2008
Award Periods: February 1, 2008 and July 1, 2008
Amount: Up to $50,000/yr
The Endocrine Society has created the Bridge Grant Program for its members. Designed to provide interim funding while long term funding is sought, the program is open to basic and clinical scientists whose funding for a renewal of a previously-funded grant has been denied. Applicants must be members of The Endocrine Society for three years immediately prior to application and must be full-time faculty members with a minimum of three years of successful independent research funding and significant publications in endocrinology. Eligibility is extended to applicants currently funded through a transitional mentored award (NIH K award or its equivalent) provided all other criteria are met. Applicants with a non-funded grant application ranking in the top 40th percentile (or equivalent ranking if percentile is not reported), on which the applicant is PI, are eligible. Applicants must have a resubmission to a national agency or major foundation pending or anticipated.

For more information visit The Endocrine Society Web site or email Loretta L. Doan, Ph.D., Manager, Science Policy at ldoan@endo-society.org.

AACR Funding Opportunities for Cancer Research
Application Deadline: December 3, 2007
Grant Term Begins: July, 1 2008
The AACR offers an outstanding array of support mechanisms for cancer researchers at various stages in their careers, from fellowships to career development awards to major grants for independent investigators. The following awards are available:

AACR Gertrude B. Elion Cancer Research Award

Career Development Awards
Five Career Development Awards are open to junior faculty who complete postdoctoral studies or clinical fellowships between July 2, 2005 and July 1, 2008 and who are at an academic or medical institution anywhere in the world, unless otherwise noted. The Career Development Awards are two-year Awards with a grant of $50,000 per year.

• AACR-Aflac Incorporated Career Development Award for Pediatric Cancer Research.
• AACR-Barletta Foundation Career Development Award for Translational Cancer Research
• AACR-Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Career Development Award for Pancreatic Cancer Research
• AACR-Genentech BioOncology Career Development Award for Cancer Research on HER Family Pathway

Fellows Grants
Three Fellows Grants are open to Clinical or Research Fellows in the third, fourth, or fifth year of their fellowships at the start of the grant term.  Candidates must have started their fellowship no earlier than July 2, 2005 and no later than July 1, 2008. Candidates must have acquired a doctoral degree in a related field.

• AACR-Barletta Foundation Fellows Grant for Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research
• AACR-Colorectal Cancer Coalition Fellows Grant, in Memory of Lisa Dubow
• AACR-National Brain Tumor Foundation Fellows Grant, in Memory of Bonnie Brooks

Research Fellowships
AACR Research Fellowships foster basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiological research by scientists at the beginning of their careers in the cancer field. They are open to Postdoctoral Fellows and Clinical Research Fellows at an academic facility, teaching hospital, or research institution who will be in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of their postdoctoral training at the start of the fellowship term.  Fellowships provide one-, two-, or three-year grants of $30,000 - $40,000 per year to support the salary and benefits of the Fellow.

• AACR Anna D. Barker Fellowship in Basic Cancer Research
• AACR-Astellas USA Foundation Fellowship in Basic Cancer Research: Two grants are available.
• AACR-Astellas USA Foundation Fellowship in Clinical/Translational Cancer ResearchAACR-Amgen, Inc. Fellowship in Clinical/Translational Cancer Research: Two grants are available.
• AACR-Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology Fellowship in Clinical Cancer Research
• AACR-AstraZeneca-Prevent Cancer Foundation Fellowship for Translational Lung Cancer Research
• AACR-Genentech BioOncology Fellowship for Cancer Research in Angiogenesis
• AACR-PanCAN Fellowship for Pancreatic Cancer Research

Candidates may submit only one application per year to AACR Awards, Grants and Fellowships. Please visit the Web site for the complete guidelines and instructions or visit proposalCENTRAL to access the online applications. Inquiries may be directed to Julia Laurence (Career Development Awards and Fellows Grants) or Hanna Hopfinger (Research Fellowships) at awards@aacr.org.

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

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Employment Opportunities

Biostatistics and Informatics Core Research Fellow (requisition number 151789)
The Research Fellow serves as a consulting statistician in the Biostatistics and Informatics Core of the Cancer Center. The primary duty involves collaboration with investigators to address research questions: designing cancer clinical trails and lab experiments, estimating sample size; authoring statistical components of written materials; implementing statistical methodology; conducting statistical analyses, assisting with interpretation, recommending presentation methods; and reviewing written materials prior to submission. The full position description and application are available on the Human Resources Web site, requisition number 151789.

For more information visit the Cancer Center Employment Web page.

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