Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota

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.

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In This Issue

Today's Seminar
News
Education and Events
Program Meetings
Funding News and Opportunities

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Today's Seminar

Y-family DNA polymerases: facilitators and suppressors of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis
Roger Woodgate, Ph.D., Chief, Laboratory of Genomic Integrity, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health

Host: Shana Sturla, Ph.D.

A peek at next week's seminar:
Making a reality of cell and gene therapy for cancer
Malcolm K. Brenner, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and of Pediatrics, Director, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine

Host: Xianzheng Zhou, M.D., Ph.D.

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

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News

Members in the news
Dan Kaufman, M.D., Ph.D., Transplant Biology and Therapy Program member, was quoted in a September 9 New York Times article on prospects for the development of red blood cells from human embryonic stem cells.

Kudos
Nancy Goldstein, Masonic Cancer Center member and patient education program manager at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, and the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital, has been designated as a Fellow in the Academy of Health Care Education Professionals. The purpose of the Academy is to grant recognition to professionals who have achieved established standards and have made significant contributions to the field of health care education through the use of the credential Fellow, Academy of Health Care Education Professionals (FAHCEP). Goldstein will be recognized at a special induction ceremony this month.

New members

Ayse P. Dincer, M.D.
Department of Hematology/Oncology, Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis
Clinical focus: Colorectal cancer; gastrointestinal malignancies, urologic/prostate cancer
Area of scientific interest: Clinical research and multidisciplinary management of GI malignancies with a special focus on management of liver metastatic disease, targeted and biologic therapeutic modalities.

Vicki L. Wilke, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Program areas of interest: Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer, Tumor Biology and Progression, and Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship
Clinical focus: Bone/soft tissue cancer, head and neck cancer, familial cancer
Area of scientific interest: Thyroid carcinomas in the dog as an animal model; genetic differences that contribution to tumor formation in canine patients with osteosarcoma.

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Education and Events

Center for Drug Design Seminar
Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 2-620 Moos Tower
The promise and practice of molecular imaging in drug discovery
Bradley D. Smith, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame

Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 14 LHI/KE
Tim Starr, Ph.D., Largaespada lab, will discuss three journal articles this week: "Core signaling pathways in human pancreatic cancers revealed by global genomic analyses," Jones S, et al., Science 2008; "An integrated genomic analysis of human glioblastoma multiforme, Parsons DW, et al., Science 2008; and "Comprehensive genomic characterization defines human glioblastoma genes and core pathways," The Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network, Nature 2008.

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

Academic Health Center Blood Drive
Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 7 a.m.-5 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center
Participants should schedule their appointments online. Questions about eligibility to donate should be directed to the American Red Cross nurse at 651-291-3885. For other information contact Jenny Meslow, meslo001@umn.edu or 1-800-448-3543.

Write Winning Grants Seminar
Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn Metrodome, Minneapolis
The popular day-long seminar is open to AHC faculty and research staff currently involved in clinical and translational research. Space is limited to 100 participants. Register at the Web site. Non-AHC faculty members may register separately through central administration.

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.

Women's Cancer: Understanding Research at the Masonic Cancer Center and How It May Benefit You
Sunday, September 28, 2008, 1-4 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center
Bring your daughter, mother, grandmother, or friend to learn from University physicians and researchers about women's cancer studies currently underway; and cancer risk, prevention, and survivorship. Speakers will include Women's Cancer Research Program co-leaders Douglas Yee, M.D., and Levi Downs, M.D., as well as Amy Skubitz, Ph.D., Carolyn Torkelson, M.D., and Beth Virnig, Ph.D. More information and registration

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.

Masonic Cancer Center Award Recognition Program
Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 3-4 p.m., 450 CCRB.
The Masonic Cancer Center Award Recognition Program will feature presentations by leaders from the Women's Cancer Research Program and the Transplant Biology and Therapy Program. Light refreshments will be provided.

Twin Cities Breast Cancer Awareness Conference: Living with Breast Cancer
Saturday, October 11, 2008, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center
The Breast Cancer Awareness Association's seventh annual Twin Cities Breast Cancer Awareness Conference, "Living with Breast Cancer," is an educational conference dedicated to learning, supporting, sharing, encouraging, and communicating with others in the community whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer. Among the presenters at the conference are Masonic Cancer Center members Barbara Bowers, M.D., who will present "Knowledge is Power: Updates in Oncology," and Dan Kaufman, M.D., Ph.D., who will present "Potentials and Possibilities: Stem Cell Therapy." Visit the conference Web site for more information and to register.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Saturday, October 11, 2008, Lake Nokomis North Beach, Minneapolis
Registration begins at 8 a.m. Walk begins at 9:30 a.m.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a walk sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise money and spread the word about fighting breast cancer. There is no registration fee and no fundraising minimum. These noncompetitive walks range in distance from three to five miles, and men, women, and children of all ages are encouraged to participate. To sign up visit the American Cancer Society Web site or contact 651-255-8100, email mnstrides@cancer.org.

Lymphoma Workshop: Understanding Lymphoma Basics and Current Treatment Options
Saturday, October 18, 2008, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport, 7901 34th Avenue S., Bloomington
Lymphoma patients, survivors, and their loved ones are invited to the Lymphoma Research Foundation's 5th Annual Minnesota Lymphoma Workshop, the premier patient education and networking forum in the region. The workshop will provide the latest information about lymphoma, current treatment options, and patient support topics. The Masonic Cancer Center is a program partner for the workshop. Speakers at the event from the Masonic Cancer Center include Michael Burke, M.D., Linda Burns, M.D., and Daniel Weisdorf, M.D. The program is free, but registration is required. More information and registration.

Cancer U: Ask the Experts
6-8 p.m., Thursdays, October 23 and 30, Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center; and November 6 and 13, Radisson University Hotel, Minneapolis
Cancer U: Ask the Experts events are offered as a community service for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and others interested in learning more about cancer. The events provide an opportunity to get accurate information about emerging trends in cancer diagnosis and treatment from University researchers and physicians. This fall, the topics and experts include:

• Prostate cancer, Joseph Lee, M.D. (October 23 and November 6)
• Gynecological cancers, Amy Jonson, M.D. (October 30)
• Lung cancer, Robert Kratzke, M.D. (November 13)

Visit the Web site for more information and to register

Cancer Benefit Fund Couture for a Cure
Saturday, October 25, 2008, 10:30 a.m., North Oaks Country Club, 54 East Oaks Road, North Oaks
The Cancer Benefit Fund's "Couture for a Cure" luncheon and style show will feature Twin Cities radio and TV personalities, as well as cancer survivors, modeling the latest fall, winter, and holiday fashions from Sonnie's. The social hour with cash bar begins at 10:30 a.m. and includes exciting raffles and auction items, followed by a delicious luncheon at noon, entertainment by the Grace Notes, and the style show. Proceeds from the event will go toward cancer research at the Masonic Cancer Center and to help provide wigs for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at HealthEast Cancer Care at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood. The cost is $60 per person. To reserve your table places, please call Carol Baumgartner, 651-464-6049. For more information about the Cancer Benefit Fund, visit the Web site.

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Program Meetings

Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program Meeting
Thursday, September 18, 2008, 4:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Mechanisms of furan-induced toxicity and carcinogenesis
Professor Lisa A. Peterson, Ph.D., Division of Environmental Health Sciences, and Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

Cancer Epidemiology Interest Group
Friday, September 19, 2008, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Jackson 2-137
An approach to studying worker health in the Minnesota taconite industry
Jeffrey Mandel, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor
Bruce Alexander, Ph.D., M.S., Associate Professor
Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

BMT Program Conference
Monday, September 22, 2008, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Program meeting

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

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Funding News and Opportunities

2009 Pancreatic Cancer Research Grants Available
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
November 10, 2008 at 12:00 Noon EST
Over $1.2 million in funding will be awarded in the following grant categories:

• Pilot Grant: Two-year grants totaling $100,000-$200,000 each, depending upon project requirements, to fund new ideas and innovative models to help advance understanding of pancreatic cancer and breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
• Career Development Award: Two-year grants totaling $100,000 each to support research on pancreatic cancer by junior faculty.
• Fellowship Award: One year grant totaling $45,000 to attract promising postdoctoral and clinical research fellows to the field of pancreatic cancer research.

Grant recipients are selected on a competitive basis using a peer-review system. Past recipients of Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Grants are eligible to apply as long as these previous grants are completed by June 30, 2008.

The Graduate School's Grant-in-Aid of Research, Artistry and Scholarship Program
Deadline: September 22, 2008
The Graduate School's Grant-in-Aid Research, Artistry and Scholarship Program promotes the scholarly and artistic activities of the faculty and their graduate students and fosters academic excellence within the University. For details, visit the Web site.

Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) Program
Deborah E. Powell Center for Women's Health
Deadline: October 15, 2008
The Deborah E. Powell Center for Women’s Health is accepting applications for the Powell Center Women’s Health Scholar. The Women’s Health Scholar will be trained in the Powell Center’s Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health K-12 program funded by the National Institute of Health. The recipient will be announced in December 2008. For more information contact 612-626-1125, wmhealth@umn.edu.

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.

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