Update is sent to Masonic 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

Today's Seminar

News

Education and Events

Program Meetings

Funding News and Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

---

Today's Seminar

Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Adhesive regulation during cell migration and invasion
Anna Huttenlocher, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, University of Wisconsin

Host: Yoji Shimizu, Ph.D.

A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Therapeutic resistance of breast cancer tumor-initiating cells
Jeffrey Rosen, M.D., Ph.D., Bell Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine

Host: Kaylee Schwertfeger, Ph.D.

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

Back to top

News

Members in the news
Daniel Mulrooney, M.D., member of the Prevention and Etiology Program, was quoted in news reports by WCCO Radio, Minnesota Public Radio, and KSTP-TV about his study published in the journal Cancer showing that most survivors of childhood acute myeloid leukemia are living longer, productive lives. Read the news release.

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., co-leader of the Prevention and Etiology Program, was quoted in an Associated Press article, "Powdered cocaine not just for white yuppies any more." The article appeared in the Boston Herald and Las Vegas Sun.

Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr.Ph., Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program member, was quoted in the Austin Daily Herald and Rochester Post-Bulletin about the Hormel Institute's plan to hire 10 additional faculty as part of its cancer research expansion and renovation program.

Michael Verneris, M.D., Transplant Biology and Research Program member, was interviewed by the magazine New Scientist regarding a study showing a reduction in breast cancer for women who had fetal microchimerism.

Members receive research funding

Daniel Saltzman, M.D., Ph.D., received a two-year R21 award from the National Institutes of Health to study attenuated Salmonella against pancreatic cancer. The study's co-PIs include Karen Wasiluk, Ashok Saluja, Ph.D., and Selwyn Vickers, M.D.

Robert Fecik, Ph.D., was awarded a new grant from the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program for his study "Fatty acid synthase inhibitors for the treatment of ovarian cancer." The 18-month grant is in the amount of $110,000.

Michael Grossmann. Ph.D., who works in the laboratory of Margot Cleary, Ph.D., Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program member and professor at the Hormel Institute, will be awarded a Susan G. Komen for the Cure Career Catalyst Research Grant for his study "Calorie restriction and eicosapentaenoic acid for the inhibition of breast cancer."

Saluja appointed to editorial board
Ashok Saluja, Ph.D., was recently appointed to the Gut editorial board.

U of M cancer researchers find Achilles' heel of leukemia
A paper published in the May issue of Cancer Cell describes the discovery of what may be the Achilles' heel of leukemia, a disease that is often fatal in children and adults. Working with stem cells from mice, John Kersey, M.D., Transplant Biology and Therapy Program member, and his colleagues Ashish Kumar, M.D., Ph.D., Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program member, and Weili Chen, found that young stem cells containing the MLL-AF9 gene were the ones that caused leukemia that is similar to the type that affects infants. Read the news release. Read the article.

Researchers discover key molecular pathway that could be targeted to prevent cancer cell division
Irina Vlasova, M.D., Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Immunology Program member Paul Bohanen, M.D., Ph.D., is first author on a paper recently published in Molecular Cell describing a new molecular pathway that activates genes in T-lymphocytes, then subsequently deactivates them through a process known as messenger RNA (mRNA) decay. Vlasova and colleagues discovered that a number of mRNAs are very short-lived in normal human T-cells, but become very stable in a variety of lymphomas/leukemias resulting in cancer growth and high resistance to radiotherapy. The results of the study could lead to the development of drugs capable of preventing cancer cell division. Read the journal abstract .

2008 Planning Grants in Health Disparities Research Program seek University collaborators for research
The Program in Health Disparities Research (PHDR) has received a total of 24 letters of intent on a wide range of interesting health disparities topics for which community organizations are seeking collaborators from our University. The letters of intent from organizations that did not indicate an established connection with an academic researcher are available online (PDF). Researchers who are interested can contact the PHDR program office, 612-625-1654, phdr@umn.edu. More information on the planning grants program is available on the PHDR Web site.

Breast cancer seminar at Hope Lodge features cancer center members
Members of the breast cancer care team at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, participated in "The Day of Healing" seminar April 19 at the Hope Lodge in Minneapolis. Twenty women with stage 4 breast cancer attended. Carolyn Torkelson, M.D., spoke on nutrition/botanicals and Lynda Whisney, R.N. on healing imagery. Ann Cummings, M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W., and Susan Pappas-Varco, R.N., M.A., also spoke at the seminar.

Cancer Summit provides setting for working collaborations
Over 235 people attended the Cancer Summit April 22 in Brooklyn Park, Minn., to learn about cancer statistics, disparities, and advocacy efforts in Minnesota, and what they could do to help reduce the state's cancer burden. The Cancer Summit was organized by the Minnesota Cancer Alliance, a coalition of health care organizations, community-based groups, and volunteers. The Masonic Cancer Center is an active member organization of the Alliance, with many faculty and staff serving on its committees and task forces. Visit the Web site to learn more about this year's Summit, and to view photos and presentation slides from the event.

Masonic Cancer Center welcomes Cuong Nguyen
Cuong Nguyen began working as biomedical informatics information technology manager for the Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource in March. He has a B.S. in computer science and an M.S. in software engineering from the University of Minnesota. Before coming to the Masonic Cancer Center, Nguyen worked at the University's Minnesota Population Center for almost 10 years as an information technology professional, where he developed database applications, served as architect for data warehouse solutions, and led software development and database projects. He has also taught computer science classes at Saint Paul College for more than five years.

Staff members participate in American Indian Wellness Fair
Marva Bohen, R.N., director of outreach and education; Sharon Donnelly, community health specialist; and Sandra Rivera, events coordinator, participated in the 13th Annual American Indian Wellness Fair April 30 at the Midtown YWCA in Minneapolis. The American Indian Wellness Fair is a very significant event within the American Indian community and has grown to attract more than 800 attendees in recent years. This year, more than 60 local health agencies and community groups offered free health screenings and information to Native community members. Rivera has been on the organizing committee for the event for over 10 years and this year served as co-chair.

Are you presenting at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting?
Members and staff who will be presenting their research at the upcoming ASCO meeting in Chicago May 30-June 3 are encouraged to send titles of the presentations to Update. We will publish the information in an upcoming issue.

Reminder: Please change your email signature and voice mail message
If you have the Cancer Center listed in your email signature and/or your voice mail message, please change it to Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota. Instructions on changing email signatures are available on the Web site (Outlook-PDF, Thunderbird-PDF). If you need instructions for other e-mail clients, contact AHC help, 612-251-5100, Ahc-is@umn.edu.

Back to top

Education and Events

CSIA Colloquium Series
Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 12 p.m., 105B, 717 Delaware St. S.E.
Computational perspectives on addiction: Addiction as vulnerabilities in a computational decision-making machine
A. David Redish, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota

Center for Drug Design Seminar
Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 2-580 Moos Tower
Gene discovery using retroviral vectors: From cancer to HIV
Nikunj V. Somia, Ph.D., Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota

Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 2-120 Moos Tower
Mary Gosse, Van Ness lab, will present "ROS-generating mitochondrial DNA mutations can regulate tumor cell metastasis," Science 320:661-664.

This will be the last Cancer Biology Journal Club of the semester. For more information contact Sonja Johnson (john4368@umn.edu) or Rachel Bergerson (sapl0005@umn.edu).

Nanotechnology in Health Care: Possibilities, Risks, and Benefits
Thursday May 8, 2008, 6:30-9 p.m., Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul
What does the future of health care look like? How will we treat cancer in the next decade? Nanoscale science-enabled medical technologies have the potential to transform health care as we know it. But should new applications be available before we understand the possible risks?

The forum includes an introduction to nanoscale technology, an overview of the possible medical implications, and, finally, a group discussion. People of all fields and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. Come explore this important and revolutionary topic!

The forum is free and space is still available! Register online. Contact Jen Scott, jscott@smm.org, for more information.

WineFest
Friday-Saturday, May 9-10, 2008, The Depot, Minneapolis
Enjoy exquisite wines, gourmet menus, and enticing auctions while supporting groundbreaking medical discoveries that help children. All proceeds benefit the University Pediatrics Foundation, an affiliate of the Minnesota Medical Foundation. Learn more about the event and buy tickets online.

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 Masonic Cancer Center's 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.

For more information, call Sabine Fritz at 624-7151 or send an e-mail to fritz017@umn.edu.

Randy Shaver Celebrity Golf Classic
June 1-2, 2008, Rush Creek Golf Club, Maple Grove
Through its annual Randy Shaver Celebrity Golf Classic tournament, the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund generously contributes to Masonic Cancer Center researchers each year. In 2007, Wei Chen, M.D., Ph.D., Jonathan D'Cunha, M.D., Ph.D., Arkadiusz Dudek, M.D., Ph.D., Melissa Geller, M.D., John Ohlfest, Ph.D., Daniel Vallera, Ph.D., and John Wagner, M.D., received a combined $232,000 for research in the areas of leukemia/lymphoma, lung cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, brain tumors, pancreatic cancer, and stem cell biology, respectively. D'Cunha is featured in a public service announcement with Randy Shaver currently running on KARE 11. For information about the Randy Shaver Celebrity Golf Classic, visit www.randyshavergolf.com.

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.

Back to top

Program Meetings

Immunology Program Seminar
Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 6-101 NHH
Targeting T cells with nanomaterials
T. Andrew Taton, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

BMT Conference
Monday, May 12, 2008, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Sleeping Beauty-mediated T-Cell therapy for CD19+ Lymphoid malignancies
Xianzheng Zhou, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics/Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

Back to top

Funding News and Opportunities

Career Catalyst in Disparities Research
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Application Receipt Dates: Pre-application due June 11, 2008. Full applications due July 31, 2008.
Funding: Up to $450,000 over 3 years
Career Catalyst in Disparities Research (CCDR) awards provide a unique opportunity for scientists in the early stages of their career, particularly scientists from populations affected by disparities in breast cancer outcomes, to achieve research independence. This award provides up to $450,000 over 3 years for research exploring the basis for differences in breast cancer outcomes and the translation of this research into clinical and public health practice interventions.

NIH Announcements:

Stem Cells and Cancer (R21)
(PA-08-165)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): See NIH Mechanism Deadlines
Funding: Up to $275,000 for 2 years
This funding opportunity announcement is intended to promote research on all aspects of tumor stem cell biology, including the molecular and biochemical regulation of embryonic and adult stem cell behavior relevant to tumor formation.  Research projects are encouraged on the characterization of tumor stem cells from the broad spectrum of solid tumors and leukemias/lymphomas not already examined, on markers potentially shared by tumor stem cells and normal stem cells, and on the biochemical and molecular regulation of normal and tumor stem cell function are encouraged. Such research can and should include the development of methods for the functional identification of such cells in vivo. Studies of the genes regulating self renewal, and studies of regulation of stem cell division by the stem cell niche and/or microenvironment are also encouraged.

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

Back to top

Employment Opportunities

Assistant or Associate Professor in Clinical Chemoprevention (requisition number 154380)
The successful applicant will have an M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree with a strong background in cancer research. He/she will be committed to developing a career in which the design and implementation of chemoprevention clinical studies will be a key element. Knowledge of clinical study design principles, prior experience in chemoprevention, and a track-record of independent research in chemoprevention is desirable. Candidates with active laboratory-based programs are encouraged to apply. Appropriate areas of investigation can include animal models for chemoprevention, development of new drug or non-drug prevention strategies, and discovery of new prevention biomarkers. Applications will be accepted through the University of Minnesota's online Employment System.

Research Associate (professional non-faculty, requisition number 155151)
This position requires a Ph.D. in biostatistics or statistics; excellent oral and written communication skills; knowledge and experience with major software such as SAS, R, and S-plus, and familiarity with major database such as Oracle. Training and/or experience with bioinformatics and the analysis of high throughput data such expression micro-arrays would be a plus. The Biostatistics and Informatics Core is a shared resource of the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, a comprehensive cancer center with eight research programs and a number of shared resources. The Biostatistics and Informatics Core supports a number of program projects and other NIH/NCI grants. We have openings for up to two positions that would provide bioinformatics support for various research projects in the cancer center, including grants and locally funded clinical studies. Application Instructions Interested individuals will apply via the University of Minnesota's online Employment System and submit curriculum vitae, a brief research statement, and names of three references. Applications accepted until position filled. The job is expected to start in July or August, 2008.

Database Programmer (information technology professional, requisition number 155125) working under the supervision of Cuong Nguyen.

Senior Oracle Database Developer (information technology professional, requisition number 155147) working under the supervision of Cuong Nguyen.

For more information about these positions and additional opportunities visit the Cancer Center's Employment Opportunities Web page.

Back to top