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, March 4, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
RASSF1A, a tumor suppressor protein bridging inflammation and cancer
Shairaz Baksh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Departments of Oncology and Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

Host: Jaime Modiano, V.M.D., Ph.D.

A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Skin cancers: rising incidence rates, tanning lamps and sex steroids
Margaret Rita Karagas, Ph.D., Professor of Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School

Host: Bernard Harlow, Ph.D.

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

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News

Members in the news

Levi Downs, M.D., co-leader of Women's Cancer Research Program, was quoted in the Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, Reuters Health, Science Daily and other media outlets about his research study that found thalidomide coupled with chemotherapy (topotecan) is a promising treatment for women with recurrent ovarian cancer. Program member Peter Argenta, M.D., was quoted about the same study in a news report by KSTP-TV. Learn more about this research.

Jaime Modiano, V.M.D., Ph.D., member of the Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, was quoted in news reports by WCCO Radio, Minnesota Public Radio, KSTP-TV, and Science Daily about a study that discovered a genetic cancer link between humans and dogs. Modiano collaborated with Matthew Breen, Ph.D., of North Carolina State University's Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research on this research study. Modiano will be featured in a Minnesota Daily article on Tuesday, March 4. Learn more about this research.

John Wagner, M.D., co-leader of the Transplant Biology and Therapy Program, and program member Jakub Tolar, M.D., Ph.D., were featured in a KARE 11 News Extra report about a 5-year-old New Jersey boy with a rare skin disease, epidermolysis bullosa (EB), who became the first human to receive a bone marrow transplant for EB. This transplant was done at University of Minnesota. See the KARE 11 report.

David Rothenberger, M.D., associate director of clinical affairs, was mentioned in an article about colonoscopies in the Red Wing Republican Eagle.

Dan Mulrooney, M.D., member of the Prevention and Etiology Program, was a guest on Sunday's WCCO radio's On-Call program discussing cancer survivorship issues and the third annual survivorship educational conference on March 15.

Chris Moertel, M.D., commented on the treatment of brain tumors in a Star Tribune article on February 29. The article was about radio host Eleanor Mondale's announcement that her brain tumor had returned and that she would be undergoing treatment.

Kudos
Congratulations to Anja Bielinsky, Ph.D., member of the Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, on being named a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Scholar. This prestigious and highly competitive award provides funding for five years in the amount of $550,000. Her research proposal, "Regulation of fragile sites in S phase checkpoint mutants" aims to define the molecular steps that cause chromosome breakage at so-called "fragile" sites. This breakage has been implicated in the development of leukemia and myeloma.

Cancer Center sponsors eighth annual Cancer and the Human Body event
More than 300 people visited the Cancer Center's eighth annual Cancer and the Human Body event February 23 at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. The event included hands-on exhibits where visitors of all ages could 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. Thanks to the following Cancer Center staff and colleagues who participated in the event: Jackie Bailey, Marva Bohen, Nina Botto, Chloe Caplan, Sue Carver, Sharon Donnelly, Marin Hoffman, Sandra Horn, Charleen Jue, Sarah Meyers, Molly Moseley, Chris Pennell, Sandra Rivera, Anthony-Osei Safo, and Jared Schmidt. Read the Minnesota Daily article about the event or visit the Cancer Center Web site to see event photos.

Message from the Tissue Procurement Facility
Since 1995, the University of Minnesota Cancer Center's Tissue Procurement Facility (TPF) has been procuring samples from patients in support of members involved in basic, translational, and clinical cancer research. Over the years, we have developed an impressive repository of patient-derived specimens including well preserved samples of malignant and benign tumors, rare tumors, organ-matched normal tissue, and, when possible, unrelated normal tissues. The TPF is a centralized resource that controls for standardization of tissue sample processing, storage, quality control, distribution, patient consent, and record maintenance. Currently, we have over 40,000 samples available for researchers; 70 percent of the samples have been snap frozen in liquid nitrogen, so they are perfect for extracting protein, DNA, or RNA. Other samples have been formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, so they are perfect for immunohistochemistry and tissue microarrays. In addition, we can process fresh tissues to meet the needs of individual researchers. Contact Sarah Bowell, laboratory manager of the TPF (bowel001@umn.edu), to see how we can help you achieve your research goals by using human tissues.

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Education and Events

Center for the Study of Impulsivity in Addiction Colloquium Series
Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 717 Delaware St. S.E., room 150
Impulsivity in addiction: A center of opportunity
Kelvin O. Lim, M. D., Drs. T.J. and Ella M. Arneson Endowed Chair, Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota

Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 2-120 Moos Tower
Timothy Starr, Ph.D., Largaespada lab, will present "Cancer proliferation gene discovery through functional genomics Science," 2008;319:620-624.

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

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 Center Spring Poster Session and Symposium
Thursday, May 15, 2008, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Cancer Center Research Building
The Ninth Annual Spring Poster Session and Symposium sponsored by the Cancer Center Core Facilities will include oral presentations from 11 a.m. to noon followed by a poster session and lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Students, staff, post-docs and PIs are invited to participate by presenting a poster. The research presented in the poster must include the use of a Cancer Center Cores Facility.

Online registration will open on Monday, March 31, 2008 with a final deadline of April 25, 2008. For more information, call Sabine Fritz at 4-7151 or send an email to fritz017@umn.edu.

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. For more information and registration instructions, visit the Cancer Center Web site. The Cancer Center will pay the Cancer Summit registration fee for members and staff.

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

Immunology Program Seminar
Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 6-101 NHH
The KSHV chemokine receptor and viral tumorigenesis
Mark Cannon, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine/Infectious Diseases, University of Minnesota

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

Cancer Biology Research Club
Friday, March 7, 2008
No meeting due to Graduate School recruiting day.

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

BMT Conference
Stem cell biology and therapies: New, newer, newest
Dan Kaufman, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Stem Cell Institute and Department of Medicine, Division of HOT, University of Minnesota

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

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Funding News and Opportunities

Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program
Department of Defense
Deadline: Pre-application: March 26, 2008; proposal: July 2, 2008
The DoD Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) has received $10 million for fiscal year 2008. Several funding mechanisms are available: Idea Development Award, Translational Partnership Award, Career Development Award, and the Consortium Development Award. Please click on the link for more information about each funding mechanism.

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

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