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Researchers and Staff
November 6 , 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, 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.
A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, November 13, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
SWI/SNF and the androgen axis: Implications for prostate cancer
Karen Knudsen, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Cincinnati Cancer Center
Host: Haojie Huang, Ph.D.
Visit the Cancer Center Seminar Series calendar for a complete schedule of lectures.
News
Members in the news
Jakub Tolar, M.D., Ph.D., and John Wagner, M.D., members of the Transplant Biology and Therapy Program, were quoted in a USA Today article about an experimental transplant which was done at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital. An 18-monthold boy was transplanted with his brother's cord blood and bone marrow in the hopes of curing recessive dystrophic epidermylosis bullosa (EB), a genetic skin disease. Wagner was also interviewed on CBS' The Early Show.
Clohisy appointed to head Orthopaedic Surgery
Denis Clohisy, M.D., member of the Cancer Metastasis and Progression Program, has been named as the new head of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical School after a nationwide search. Read more.
Moertel named director of new brain tumor program
University of Minnesota Cancer Center member Christopher Moertel, M.D., a specialist in research and treatment of pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors, has been named clinical director of the University's new Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program. Moertel is a professor in the University of Minnesota Medical School's Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology.
The Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program is the first comprehensive research and treatment program in the Midwest and one of few such programs in the United States. Its purpose is twofold: conduct leading edge research on pediatric brain and spinal cord cancers and provide the most advanced treatment for children diagnosed with these conditions. The program is located at University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital, and is the result of the collaborative effort by the Department of Pediatrics, the University of Minnesota Physicians, Fairview, and the Children's Cancer Research Fund.
Cancer Center receives $50,000 from Hyundai's Hope on Wheels campaign
Hyundai Motor America and its dealerships presented a donation of $50,000 for pediatric cancer research at the Masonic Cancer Center in a symbolic handprint ceremony October 24. The ceremony, which was held on the courtyard outside University of Minnesota Medical Center, celebrated the lives and treatment milestones of pediatric cancer patients by capturing their colorful handprints on a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The donation is part of Hyundai's nationwide 2007 Hope On Wheels tour, which will visit 30 cities this fall, with donations nearing $1.5 million. Read more and see photos from the event.
Faculty writing opportunity
The November issue of Accelerate (PDF) announces a special opportunity for faculty to get away from distractions and focus on writing. A collaborative pilot project of the Office for the Vice President for Research, the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs, the Center for Writing, the Office of Clinical Research, and the Center for Teaching and Learning will offer small spaces that can be used by faculty to get away and focus on writing. A schedule is available on the Web. For more information, contact Laura Crosslin, cross033@umn.edu.
Education and Events
Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, November 7, 2007, 12-1 p.m. 2-120 Moos Tower
Tim Starr, Ph.D., Largaespada lab, will discuss Pujana MA et al., "Network modeling links breast cancer susceptibility and centrosome dysfunction," Nature Genetics 2007, [Epub ahead of print].
The Cancer Biology Journal Club is held every Wednesday. For more information contact Sonja Johnson (john4368@umn.edu) or Rachel Bergerson (sapl0005@umn.edu).
Pediatric Cancer and Blood Diseases Conference
Wednesday, November 7, 2007, 4 p.m., 450 CCRB
AML
Marcy Ellwein, M.D., Fellow, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT
Special Seminar
Friday, November 9, 2007, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Assessing the role of environment and genes in risk of adult brain tumors
Preetha Rajaraman, Ph.D., Research Fellow, Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute
Dr. Rajaraman, is a candidate for assistant/associate professor (tenure-track) position in Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research.
Pharmacology Seminar Series
Friday, November 9, 2007, 12 p.m., 2-101 NHH
GPRC5A: A new lung tumor suppressor
Reuben Lotan, Ph.D., Irving and Nadine Mansfield and Robert David Levitt Cancer Research Chair; Deputy Division Head for Research, Division of Cancer Medicine; Director, Clinical Research Building, Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology-Unit 432, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Host: Dr. Li-Na Wei
Invited Guest Speaker
Friday, November 9, 2007, 2-3 p.m.,450 CCRB
Developmental biology of glioma stem cells
Chang-Hyuk Kwon, Ph.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Developmental Biology
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. This event will focus on activities and research in Population Sciences. A recognition award will be presented to an individual or group for their outstanding contribution to the Masonic Cancer Center's mission. Refreshments will be served.
Cancer Center Program Meetings
Immunology Program Seminar
Wednesday, November 7, 2007, 1:30-2:30 p.m., 6-101, Nils Hasselmo Hall
Things to make us go: Self recognition and intrinsic negative regulation in autoimmunity and antitumor responses
Jaime Modiano, V.M.D, Ph.D., Director, Animal Cancer Center, Veterinary Medical Center, Professor College of Veterinary Medicine, Al and June Perlman Endowed Chair in Animal Oncology, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center Lecture
Friday, November 9, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Examining determinants and consequences of smoking reduction using animal models
Mark G. LeSage, Ph.D., Senior Investigator, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, and
Andrew Harris, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation and PharmacoNeuroImmunology Program
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Cancer Biology Research Club
Friday, November 9, 2007, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 450 CCRB
Exploring the regulation and role of breast tumor kinase (Brk/PTK6) in normal and neoplastic contexts
Nancy Castro, Cancer Biology Training Grant predoctoral fellow, Lange lab
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
BMT Conference
Monday, November 12, 2007, 1:15-2:15 p.m., Room 450 CCRB
Attending meeting
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
ELSI Regular Research Program (R01)
(PA-08-012)
ELSI Small Research Grant Program (R03)
(PA-08-013)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): Multiple dates, see announcement.
Funding: R01—Variable depending on project scope. Standard NIH rules apply (<$250,000—modular); R03-up to $50,000/yr. for 2 years for a total of $100,000 direct costs over 2 years.
This FOA is designed to encourage research projects that anticipate, analyze, and address the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of the discovery and use of new information and technologies resulting from human genomic research.
Angiogenesis in the Nervous System in Health and Disease
(PA-08-015)— R01
(PA-08-016)—R21
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): Multiple dates, see announcement.
Funding: R01—Variable depending on project scope. Standard NIH rules apply. (<$250,000-modular), R21—Direct costs are limited to $275,000 over an R21 two-year period, with no more than $200,000 in direct costs allowed in any single year.
The aim of this FOA is to invite applications to study angiogenesis in the nervous system. Specific areas of research this FOA seeks to encourage include study of the mechanisms controlling angiogenic responses to physiological and pathological stimuli, the development and patterning of nervous system vasculature, and the etiology of disorders affecting development and/or ongoing angiogenesis in nervous system vasculature.
Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Human Cancer for the Year 2008 and 2009 (P50)
(PAR-08-020)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): Multiple, see announcement
Funding: New or competing renewal P50 SPORE applications may each request a maximum annual total cost of $2.5 million. The overhead costs related to subcontracts to other institutions or organizations are included in the total cost cap of $2.5 million. Applications can exceed this cap in subsequent years as a result of standard cost-of-living increases or special supplements approved by NCI.
As defined and supported by the NCI, a Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) conducts state-of-the-art research that will contribute to improved screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of an organ-specific cancer (or related group of cancers). SPOREs are expected not only to conduct a wide spectrum of research activities, but should also contribute significantly to the development of specialized research cores, improved research model systems, and collaborative research projects with other institutions. The research supported through this program must be translational in nature.
Anemia of Inflammation and of Chronic Diseases (R01)
(PAS-08-019)
National Cancer Institute, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute on Aging
Application Receipt Date(s): Multiple, see announcement.
Funding: Depending on project scope, standard NIH rules apply (<$250,000 —modular)
The goal of this announcement is to encourage R01 grant applications that propose research on anemia caused by inflammation or by chronic diseases (AICD). Such research should develop a better understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical impact of AICD and lead to improvements in the detection, prevention and treatment of this common form of anemia.
Nanomedicine funding opportunity
NCI Division of Cancer Biology
Deadline: Letter of Interest in Collaboration, December 10, 2007
Invited Application Receipt Date: Mar 24, 2008
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: May, 2008
The network of NIH Nanomedicine Development Centers requests letters from clinical investigators interested in collaborating in the nanomedicine research enterprise. Clinical investigators, with ongoing preclinical/translational research programs, will be expected to participate in the activities of one or more of the NIH Nanomedicine Development Centers (NDC) and to explore opportunities for potential medical applications that build on the science emerging from one or more of the centers. Approximately $2,000,000 annually for two years will be available to support three to five projects from clinical collaborators.
Further information on the LIC application process is available at the Web site. For more information contact, Dan Gallahan, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Division of Cancer Biology, NCI , 301-496-8636, dg13w@nih.gov.
Other opportunities
Doctors Cancer Foundation
Application Receipt Date: December 31, 2008
Funding: Two $50,000 grants
The Doctors Cancer Foundation is offering two grants for cancer research. The first grant is for the best genetic or epigenetic program for the management of any kind of cancer. The second grant will be a Nolan Miller grant of $50,000 for the best genetic or epigenetic program for the management of lung cancer. Applications should be as concise as possible with a maximum of 10 pages. The reviewers are practicing physicians. Completed applications should be emails to dcf@doctorscancerfoundation.org. The awards will be announced in May 2008. Visit the Web site for more information.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.
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 Masonic Cancer Center Employment Web page.