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Researchers and Staff
September 2 , 2008
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
Funding News and Opportunities
Cancer Center Seminar Series
A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 12 p.m., 450 CCRB
The role of novel AR splice isoforms in prostate cancer progression
Scott Dehm, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
News
Members in the news
Todd Tuttle, M.D., Women's Cancer Program member, was quoted in a Newsweek article and interviewed on Calgary Today AM 770 CHQR in Calgary, Alberta about women choosing prophylactic mastectomies, despite the fact that there is no guarantee of improved survival rates.
Education and Events
Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 114 LHI/KE (Note new meeting room)
Rachel Bergeson, Largaespada lab, will discuss "Tumor regression in cancer patients by very low doses of a T cell-engaging antibody," Bargou et al., Science 2008;321:974-977.
The Cancer Biology Journal Club is held every Wednesday. For more information contact Sonja Johnson (john4368@umn.edu) or Rachel Bergerson (sapl0005@umn.edu).
Office of Clinical Research Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series
Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 12 p.m., Mayo Auditorium
Unhealthy health care: misleading propaganda about drugs and mammography screening
Peter C. Gøtzsche, M.D., M.S., Director, The Nordic Cochrane Centre
Norma K.C. Ramsay, M.D., Distinguished Visiting Professor Lectureship
Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 12:15-1:30 p.m., Moos Tower 2-690
The Quality of Survival after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Smita Bhatia, M.D., M.P.H., Professor and Chair, Division of Population Sciences, Associate Director of population research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, Calif.
The third annual Norma K.C. Ramsay, M.D., Distinguished Visiting Professor Lectureship is sponsored by the Children's Cancer Research Fund.
Join Team U of M for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) PurpleRide
September 13, 2008, Elm Creek Regional Park
A strong University of Minnesota presence, including researchers, medical personnel, and Minnesota Medical Foundation staff is being organized for the Twin Cities Purple Ride. Contact Cathy Spicola, development officer in the Masonic Cancer Center, (612-625-5192, spico005@umn.edu) to join the team. Riders can choose from three distances: an 8-mile family ride, 25-mile river route, and 50-mile touring route. No matter which distance you choose, the event promises to be a good time for everyone. If you can't make the ride, you can register as a virtual rider and fundraise using the online tools. Those who don't want to ride can be a volunteer on the day of the event by on the day of the event by e-mailing Marilynn Tuchfarber (Marilynn_Tuchfarber@hopkins.k12.mn.us). Visit the Web site for more information.
Silent No More 5K Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer
Saturday, September 13, 2008, Rosland Park, Edina
The Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA) Silent No More 5K Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer raises funds for ovarian cancer research, education, and support for women with ovarian cancer and their families. In just eight years, MOCA has awarded more than $2 million for ovarian cancer research in Minnesota, thanks in large part to the success of the Silent No More event. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; a survivor photo will be taken at 8:30 a.m.; 5K run begins at 9 a.m.; 2K walk begins at 9:30 a.m.; and a Kids Fun Run begins at 10 a.m. For more information or to register, call 612-822-0500 or visit the Web site.
Cannon Valley Cancer Ride
Saturday, September 20, 2008, Riverside Park, Cannon Falls, Minn.
The Cannon Valley Cancer Ride is a fun, family-oriented 20-mile bike ride on the scenic Cannon Valley Trail. The event is organized by Red Wing Masonic Lodge and Cannon Falls Oriental Lodge to raise money for the Partners for Life Campaign, which was established by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota to help raise funds for the Masonic Cancer Center. Through the help of Minnesota Masonic Charities, every dollar raised from the Cannon Valley Cancer Ride will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
The ride starts in Riverside Park in Cannon Falls and goes to Welch and back. The registration fee is $35 for riders 12 and older and $20 for riders under 12, and includes lunch and a t-shirt. Same-day registration is $30 for riders 12 and older and $15 for riders under 12, and includes lunch, but no t-shirt. Registration and t-shirt handout will start at 8 a.m.; the ride will start at 9 a.m. Visit the Web site for more information and a registration form.
Developmental Biology Center/Lillehei Heart Institute Symposium
Tubes, Branches and Pumps in Development
September 24-25, 2008, McNamara Alumni Center, A.I. Johnson Great Room
Registration is now open for the Developmental Biology Center/Lillehei Heart Institute Symposium. The first 25 graduate students who register and are presenting a poster at the symposium will have their registration and banquet fees waived. All registrants are welcome to present a poster. Visit the Web site for more information and to register.
Hormel Institute Symposium "Frontiers in Cancer Research" and the 8th International Skin Carcinogenesis Conference
October 4-7, 2008, Austin, Minn.
The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota is hosting a three-day conference in Austin, Minn., as part of the grand opening to celebrate its major expansion. The goal of this joint conference is to provide a scientifically driven symposium involving didactic sessions and facilitating discussions regarding molecular and cellular targets of cancer causation and prevention, and to provide a forum for exchange of the most recent and relevant information on the biological, cellular, and molecular changes that occur during tumor development. Newer technologies such as computer modeling of protein/protein interactions and small-molecular/protein interactions will also be highlighted, and a substantial translational focus will be included. Conference chairs are Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr. P.H., Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program member and executive director of The Hormel Institute, and Susan M. Fischer, Ph.D., professor, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas. Masonic Cancer Center Director Douglas Yee, M.D., and Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program Leader Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., are presenters at the conference. Visit the Hormel Institute Web site for more information and to register.
Funding News and Opportunities
American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant
American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant applications are being accepted until October 6, 2008. This grant is for assistant professors who have no independent national funding and are engaged in cancer-related research. Cancer-related research includes genetic mechanisms of cancer, molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and metastasis, development of novel cancer therapeutic models and translational research, cancer immunology and immunotherapy.
Funding is available up to $30,000. Applications may be obtained by contacting LeeAnn Micek, 612-626-1926, micek003@umn.edu.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.
Employment Opportunities
Biological Sciences Laboratory Technician
A laboratory technician position is available in the laboratory of Khalil Ahmed, Ph.D., at the VA Medical Center, working in the area of regulation and therapy of cancer. The successful candidate will be able to perform a variety of laboratory analyses and cell culture techniques on human or animal specimens; prepare buffers, reagents, other solutions; perform minor modifications to established assay procedures; assist with animal experiments and analysis of tissues; keep meticulously detailed records of all experiments and procedures in a laboratory notebook; use a PC and appropriate software to perform preliminary analyses on results obtained and render interpretations of the data; maintain inventories of supplies and order items as necessary; perform contamination surveys, properly handle hazardous materials and dispose of all waste materials in an appropriate manner; maintain chemical inventories, read and maintain appropriate MSDS sheets and safety files; and adjust, calibrate and perform minor repairs on equipment used in the laboratory. This position requires U.S. citizenship. Contact Janeen Trembley (Trem0005@umn.edu, 612-467-2877).