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Researchers and Staff
February 5 , 2008
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, February 5, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Polyamines as strong biological modifiers that promote tumorigenesis
Susan Gilmour, Ph.D., Professor, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pa.
Hosts: Christopher Pennell, Ph.D., and Khalil Ahmed, Ph.D.
A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, February 12, 2008. 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Heat-Shock Protein 70 and pancreatic cancer
Ashok Saluja, Ph.D., Professor and Vice Chair of Research, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota
Visit the Cancer Center Seminar Series calendar for a complete schedule of lectures.
News
Cancer Center supports legislative initiative to increase colorectal cancer screening; Day at the Capitol is March 6
The Masonic Cancer Center is supporting a new legislative initiative to increase colorectal cancer screening among underserved residents of Minnesota. On March 6, 2008, the American Cancer Society, the Get Your Rear in Gear Foundation, and the Minnesota Cancer Alliance are organizing a Day at the Capitol to encourage legislators to support the Minnesota Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act. The Day at the Capitol will begin at Embassy Suites Hotel in St. Paul with breakfast, advocacy training, and a lunchtime keynote speech by Tim Byers, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Colorado Cancer Center and National American Cancer Society Board. Byers is renowned for his work on colorectal cancer screening and early detection programs. After lunch, participants will take a bus to the Capitol to meet with legislators and participate in informational programs and discussions. If you are not able to attend the full day, you are still encouraged to come to the Capitol during the afternoon to meet with your legislators. For more information about the legislative initiative, see the fact sheet available on the Minnesota Cancer Alliance Web site. If you would like to participate in the Day at the Capitol, contact Sally Starr at 651-255-8118 or Sally.Starr@cancer.org, or register online.
Ognjanovic receives American Cancer Society grant
Cancer Center member Simona Ognjanovic, Ph.D., received an American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant for $30,000 to support her research on the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus and hepatocellular carcinoma. The research will involve a case-control study to examine the role of genetic polymorphisms in cytokine genes in the non-responsiveness to hepatitis B vaccine. The study is part of the Gambia Hepatitis Intervention Study initiated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Call for Poster Displays: Cancer Summit 2008
The Minnesota Cancer Alliance is inviting applications for poster and "Take-One" table displays at the Cancer Connections Expo on April 22 during Cancer Summit 2008 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center. Displays should reflect how your organization is working to address the state's cancer burden, as outlined in the 24 objectives in Cancer Plan Minnesota. Organizations chosen to participate in the Take-One table display will be able to provide up to two information pieces to give away at conference. For more information, visit the Minnesota Cancer Alliance Web site.
Education and Events
Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, February 6, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 2-120 Moos Tower
Sue Rathe will discuss "Activating gene expression in mammalian cells with promoter-targeted duplex RNAs," Nature Chemical Biology 2007;3:166-173.
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, February 6, 2008, 4 p.m., 450 CCRB
Hepatoblastoma
Heather Stefanski, M.D., Fellow, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT
Special Seminar:
Developmental biology of glioma stem cells
Thursday, February 7, 2008, 12 p.m., 2-101 Hasselmo Hall
Chang Hyuk Kwon, Ph.D., Instructor, Department of Developmental Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Dr. Kwon is a faculty candidate in cancer genetics, a recruitment jointly sponsored by the Cancer Center and the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development.
Free public screening of documentary Dear Talula
Thursday, February 7, 2008, 7 p.m., White Bear Township Theaters
Cancer survivors, family members, health care providers, and the general public are invited to a free screening of Dear Talula, a 34-minute award-winning documentary about a woman whose grace and courage allow her to transform her breast cancer diagnosis into a journey of self discovery. A post-film discussion with cancer survivor and filmmaker Lori Benson will follow the screening. The screening is in celebration of the grand opening of the Survivors' Studio fitness center in White Bear Lake. Survivors' Studio is a program of Survivors' Training™, a non-profit organization founded by Wendy Rahn, a breast cancer survivor, wife, mother, and University of Minnesota professor. Free tickets are available at the Survivors' Studio Grand Opening, or call 651-748-4760.
Valentine Sale at Innsbruck Jewelers
Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 6-8 p.m., 2030 Silver Lake Road N.W., New Brighton
In this sale benefitting cancer research and patient care, enjoy a 30 percent discount on most of the jewelry in the Innsbruck Jewelers store. Twenty-five percent of the sale profits will go to the Cancer Benefit Fund, a volunteer organization that raises funds for research at the Masonic Cancer Center and for HealthEast cancer care programs.
Special Seminar:
Germ cells in development and disease
Thursday, February 14, 2008, 12 p.m., 2-101 Hasselmo Hall
James Amatruda, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Molecular Biology and Internal Medicine, Horchow Family Endowed Scholar in Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
Dr. Amatruda is a faculty candidate in cancer genetics, a recruitment jointly sponsored by the Masonic Cancer Center and the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development.
Cancer and the Human Body exhibit
Saturday, February 23, 1-4 p.m., Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul
The Masonic Cancer Center's eighth annual Cancer and the Human Body event at the Science Museum of Minnesota will include hands-on exhibits where visitors of all ages can learn about cancer and the research being done to understand the disease. Visitors will learn what normal cells look like compared to cancer cells; what cancer looks like in the body; and the importance of sun safety in preventing skin cancer. For more information, contact Sandra Rivera, river039@umn.edu, 612-625-4441.
KS95 for Kids® Radiothon
March 6-8, 2008, Southdale Center, Edina
A 60-hour radio broadcast on 94.5 KS95-FM, KS95 for Kids benefits both Children's Cancer Research Fund and Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. A variety of current and past patients are featured during the broadcast. KS95 for Kids will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2008. To donate and/or volunteer visit KS95 for Kids.
Time to Fly™ Walk/Run registration open
Saturday, June 28, 2008, Harriet Island Regional Park, St. Paul
Time to Fly is a family-friendly walk/run event perfect for everyone from the competitive runner to the recreational participant. Set along the banks of the beautiful Mississippi River, Time to Fly race events include: 10K run, 5K run, 5K walk, and a kids’ fun run. The day also features live entertainment, performance t-shirts, event bags, complimentary food and beverages, an abundance of kids' activities, and inspirational stories by families with children affected by cancer. Awards are presented to top race finishers in eight age categories, as well as the top corporate, community, and individual fundraisers through a competitive online pledge program. The 6th annual Time to Fly will be held in conjunction with the Picnic of Hope.
Plan to form a team. For additional information visit the Children's Cancer Research Fund Web site.
Cancer Center Program Meetings
Immunology Program Seminar
Wednesday, February 6, 2008, 1:30-2:30 p.m., 2-520 Moos Tower (note room change)
TLR9 based immunotherapy for treatment of primary brain tumors and metastasis prevention
John Ohlfest, Ph.D., Director, Neurosurgery Gene Therapy Program, Assistant Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Cancer Biology Research Club
Friday, February 8, 2008
Meeting canceled due to Graduate School recruiting activities.
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
BMT Conference
Monday, February 11, 2008
No conference due to BMT tandem meetings.
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
No new funding opportunities were submitted this week.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.
Employment Opportunities
The Employment Opportunities page on the Masonic Cancer Center Web site was recently updated with many new listings.