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, February 19, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Mechanisms of tumor suppression by ARF
Dawn E. Quelle, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Carver College of Medicine and Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa

Host: David Potter, M.D., Ph.D.

A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, February 26, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Exploiting gene editing, transcriptional and microRNA-mediated regulation, and homing of hematopoietic lineages for targeting gene therapy in cancer and genetic diseases
Luigi Naldini, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Laboratory for Gene Transfer and Therapy, University of Torino Medical School, Italy

Host: Bruce Blazar, M.D.

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

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News

Members in the news
Cancer Center member Mark Reding, M.D., was quoted in an Associated Press article about Minnesota Viking Kenechi Udeze, who has been diagnosed with leukemia. The story appeared in the Star Tribune and other news outlets across the country. Reding also was quoted in a WCCO Radio news report. Read the article.

Cancer Center Director Douglas Yee, M.D., was quoted in the February 16 issue of Science News in an article titled "Weighty Evidence: The link between obesity, metabolic hormones, and tumors brings the promise of new targets for cancer therapies." Read the article.

Cancer Center Annual Report now available
This University of Minnesota Cancer Center 2007 Annual Report communicates the Cancer Center's research, education, and outreach efforts and recognizes the generosity of donors supporting this work. This year's report describes research being done at the Cancer Center in multiple myeloma, cord blood transplantation, cellular therapy, and in the role of lifestyle choices in cutting cancer risk. The report also describes the Cancer Center's support of programs that bridge health disparity gaps. A PDF version of the report is available on the Web site; individual articles are available throughout the Web site's Feature Stories section. If you would like to request a copy of the report, call SvenErik Olsen at 612-626-5437, or e-mail olsen057@umn.edu.

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Education and Events

Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 2-120 Moos Tower
Mike Gerner will present "Endothelin B receptor mediates the endothelial barrier to T cell homing to tumors and disables immune therapy." Nat Med. 2008 Jan;14(1):28-36.

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

Support the U Day at the Capitol
Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 12 p.m., Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda
Join hundreds of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and volunteers, in urging legislators to support the U of M's legislative requests. A rally is scheduled for noon in the Rotunda, lunch is at 12:45 p.m. in the Capitol's Great Hall, and optional meetings with legislators begin at 1 p.m. Learn more.

Oral Medicine Seminar Series
Thursday, February 21, 2008, 12 p.m., 2-520 Moos Tower
Proteomics: characterization of salivary proteins in oral cancer
Timothy Griffin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, University of Minnesota School of Medicine

Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development Seminar Series
Friday, February 22, 2008, 3:30 p.m., 7-135 Weaver-Densford Hall
A Biomimetic Hydrogel Drug Delivery Platform
Greg Rutkowski, Ph.D., Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Duluth

If you would like to schedule an individual meeting with Dr. Rutkowski, please contact Andrea Knickerbocker, knick018@umn.edu, 612-626-6317.

Cancer and the Human Body exhibit
Saturday, February 23, 2008, 1-4 p.m., Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul
The 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.

Special Seminar
Thursday, February 28, 2008, 12 p.m., 2-101 Hasselmo Hall
Quest for the 1p36 tumor suppressor: From chromosome engineering to chromatin remodeler
Anindya Bagchi, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York
Dr. Bagchi is a faculty candidate in cancer genetics, a recruitment jointly sponsored by the Cancer Center and the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development.

Day at the Capitol to support colorectal cancer screening
Thursday, March 6, 2008, Embassy Suites Hotel and the Capitol, St. Paul
In an effort to increase colorectal cancer screening among underserved residents of Minnesota, 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. 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, visit the Web site.

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.

Survivorship Series
March 15, 2008, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota
This free, educational conference will focus on questions and issues that survivors and their families may face after completion of treatment for cancer or following stem cell transplantation. Survivors, their families, and healthcare professionals will have the opportunity to learn more about medical late effects and issues such as physical function, nutrition, legal matters, work/school re-entry, loss, spirituality, and transitioning to life-long healthy living. Conference speakers from the University of Minnesota include Daniel Mulrooney, M.D., M.S.; Douglas Yee, M.D.; Joseph Neglia, M.D., M.P.H.; Navneet Majhail, M.D.; Kim Robien, R.D., Ph.D.; William Robiner, Ph.D., L.P.; Alicia Kunin-Batson, Ph.D., L.P.; Erin Holker, Ph.D., L.P.; Mary Jo Kreitzer, Ph.D., R.N.; and Bradley Benson, M.D. More information and registration.

Cancer U: Ask the Experts
March 20, April 3, and April 10, 2008
This free community education series will include sessions on prostate and breast cancer. "Prostate Cancer: What men need to know" will be offered March 20, 6-8 p.m., at Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center, and April 3, 6-8 p.m., at the Radisson University Hotel on the U of M's Minneapolis campus. Speakers Tony Makhlouf, M.D., Ph.D., (both programs) and Joe Lee, M.D., (Minneapolis program) will discuss research advances in the treatment of prostate cancer and managing sexual dysfunction after treatment. "Breast Cancer: What women should know" will be offered April 10, 6-8 p.m., at Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center. Milena Elimelakh, M.D., and Todd Tuttle, M.D., will discuss breast cancer treatment innovations. Attendance is free for each program, but seating is limited, so pre-registration is encouraged. Call 612-624-2620 or visit the Web site to learn more about the programs and to register online.

Cancer Summit 2008: Members in Motion
Tuesday, April 22, 2008, Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center
The Minnesota Cancer Alliance invites partners, members, and interested individuals to the fifth annual Cancer Summit. In her role as Minnesota Cancer Alliance chair for 2008, DeAnn Lazovich, M.P.H., Ph.D., Prevention and Etiology Program co-leader, will deliver the welcome and opening remarks at the conference. Keynote speaker Tina Gill, M.P.H., public health advisor for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will discuss how to motivate members to move from a shared vision to collective action. The Summit also will feature a variety of working sessions and a cancer data update with the most recent cancer statistics for Minnesota. The Cancer Connections Expo during the Summit will showcase statewide organizations' dedication to reducing cancer in Minnesota by implementing objectives outlined in Cancer Plan Minnesota. The Cancer Center will pay the Cancer Summit registration fee for members and staff. For more information and registration instructions, visit the Cancer Center Web site.

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.

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Cancer Center Program Meetings

Tumor Biology and Progression Program
Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 9:15-10:15 a.m., 2-650 Moos Tower
Biology and therapeutic targeting of brain tumor stem cells
John Ohlfest, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery; Director, Department of Neurosurgery Gene Therapy Program and Gene and Stem Cell Core Facility

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

Cancer Biology Research Club
Friday, February 22, 2008
No meeting due to graduate school recruitment activities on Friday.

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

BMT Conference
Monday, February 25, 2008, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Attending meeting

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

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Funding News and Opportunities

2008 Planning Grants in Health Disparities Research Program
Sponsored by: University of Minnesota Medical School Program in Health Disparities Research; Academic Health Center Office of Clinical Research; the University of Minnesota Cancer Center; and the Office for Business & Community Economic Development (with Medica)
Deadline: letter of intent due April 13, 2008; see RFP for complete schedule
Funding: Up to six awards for $10,000-$20,000
These grants are designed to encourage community-initiated research and foster sustainable and long-term collaborative research between community-based organizations and academic researchers on projects focused on eliminating health disparities. This request for proposals (RFP) is directed to community organizations in Minnesota. Some funding partners would like to support cancer-related research and those addressing health disparities in North Minneapolis, however all research topics in health disparities regardless of location within Minnesota will be considered. Funding decisions will be based on the scientific quality of each proposal and their potential for reducing health disparities.

Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Awards
Deadline: April 16, 2008
Funding: $75,000 per year for three years
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has announced a new funding program for early career prostate cancer researchers. PCF intends to fund 100 young investigators over the next five years and anticipates naming about 15 this year. Consistent with the PCF's goal to end death and suffering from prostate cancer, these awards focus efforts on developing a gifted cohort of investigators to undertake the next generation of prostate cancer research. The awards will provide financial support to advance the career and research efforts of the awardees. PCF encourages all eligible candidates to apply. Mentorship is required for every PCF Young Investigator Award applicant and grantee. The organization beseeches established investigators to identify, mentor, and encourage qualified candidates to apply for this award.

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

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