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Researchers and Staff
October 14 , 2008
Update is sent to Masonic Cancer Center members and staff every Tuesday morning. Please submit items to Sandi Sherman, sherm019@umn.edu, by noon the previous Friday.
In This Issue
Funding News and Opportunities
Today's Seminar
Tuesday, October 14, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Understanding basic mechanisms suggests novel therapeutic targets for MLL leukemia
Nancy Zeleznik-Le, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine
Host: John Kersey, M.D.
A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Temperature matters: Exploiting immunologic and vascular effects of hyperthermia to improve cancer therapy
Elizabeth A. Repasky, Ph.D., The Dr. William Huebsch Professor in Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Host: John Bishof, Ph.D.
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
News
Members in the news
Douglas Yee, M.D., Masonic Cancer Center director, talked with Governor Tim Pawlenty on the Governor's weekly radio program Friday about advances in cancer research and treatment and the role of the Masonic Cancer Center in some of those innovations.
Kudos
Joseph Neglia, M.D., M.P.H., Prevention and Etiology Program member, received the Butterfly Award at the Children's Cancer Research Fund's annual meeting on September 30. The award celebrates ongoing commitment and dedication to the battle against childhood cancer. Neglia, pediatric oncology physician and researcher, won the award for the medical category, which recognizes members of the medical community at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota who have shown exceptional levels of service to the Children's Cancer Research Fund.
John Kersey, M.D., founding director emeritus and member of the Transplant Biology and Therapy Program, received the 2008 Charles Bolles Bolles-Rogers Award October 7 from the West Metro Medical Society (formerly the Hennepin Medical Society). The award is presented to a physician who has made professional contributions on the basis of medical research, achievement, or leadership, and has become the outstanding physician of this and other years. Kersey was cited for his outstanding work in pediatric oncology care for several decades, conducting research involving bone marrow transplantation and other aspects of pediatric oncology, and being a founder and serving as the first director of the now Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota.
Daniel Weisdorf, M.D., co-leader of the Transplant Biology and Therapy Program, received a Medical Staff Award for clinical innovation at the Medical Staff Awards event presented by the University of Minnesota Medical Center and University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital on October 7.
Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr. P.H., director of the Hormel Institute and member of the Masonic Cancer Center's Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program, has been selected as a MERIT Award recipient by the National Cancer Institute for his research work in anticarcinogenic mechanisms of tea constituents. Dong and his colleagues have evaluated the potential of tea polyphenols and other distinct dietary factors to prevent cancer, due to their ability to effectively alter molecular targets within cancer cells. This research, focusing on cell signaling, identified tea polyphenol EGCG "receptors." Identification of this cellular receptor represents the first step in understanding molecular and biochemical mechanisms of tea polyphenols' anticancer effect. Read more.
Recognition Program highlights accomplishments, awards key individuals in Transplant Biology and Therapy, Women's Cancer Research programs
Leaders from the Masonic Cancer Center's Transplant Biology and Therapy Research Program and the Women's Cancer Research Program gave presentations about their programs' accomplishments and recognized outstanding individuals in their areas at a recognition program October 8 in the Masonic Cancer Research Building. Transplant Biology and Therapy Research Program co-leaders John Wagner, M.D., and Daniel Weisdorf, M.D., presented recognition awards to Claudio Brunstein, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation Division; and Tim Krepski, R.N., administrative coordinator for the Bone and Marrow Transplant Program. Douglas Yee, M.D., Masonic Cancer Center director and co-leader of the Women's Cancer Research Program, presented recognition awards to Ashley Schempp, regulatory specialist, and Deborah Biegert, R.N., clinical research nurse coordinator--both work in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's Health. For a summary of the program, photos, and links to presentations, visit the Web site.
Fifth meeting of the Minnesota Chemoprevention Consortium
The fifth meeting of the Minnesota Chemoprevention Consortium is scheduled for Friday, November 7, 2008, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hormel Foods Corporation sales cabin in Austin, Minn. The meeting will include presentations from Navtej Buttar, M.D., and Paul Limberg, M.D., Department of Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic; Max Pecht and Phil Minerich, Hormel Foods Corporation; Sabrina Peterson, Ph.D., and Jian-Min Juan, Ph.D., Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota; and Peter Ruvolo, Ph.D., Hormel Institute.
The meeting will conclude with a tour of the Hormel Corporation R&D facilities. Lunch will be available. Reply to carls307@umn.edu if you plan to attend.
Established in 2007, the Minnesota Chemoprevention Consortium (MC2 or "MC-squared") brings together researchers from the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, Hormel Institute, and Hormel Foods to facilitate and implement interdisciplinary chemopreventive agent development and delivery for cancer prevention. The consortium meets regularly and involves researchers from a wide range of disciplines, including the basic sciences, epidemiology, agriculture, and food science.
New member
Steven C. Housh, M.H.A., M.B.A.
Oncology Service Line Executive, Fairview Health Services
Area of interest: Advancing the partnership of the Fairview system and the Masonic Cancer Center
Reminder: please use MCRB, not CCRB
A reminder that the cancer research building at 425 East River Road is now called the "Masonic Cancer Research Building." This name change impacts mail and communications. Specifically,
- MMC code: It will be imperative that the MMC 806 code is correctly and clearly written on all mail sent externally (U.S. postage) and internally (campus mail) to the Masonic Cancer Research Building (MCRB). The University mail room sorts mail by the MMC code. If MMC 806 code is not shown, expect delays in delivery to MCRB. Additionally, emphasize to your external colleagues and vendors that mail they send to you must have the correct MMC code in your address.
- Room reference: Conference rooms, offices, and laboratories will now be referenced as MCRB instead of CCRB (correct: MCRB 450; incorrect: CCRB 450). You will see this change effective right away in Update, Web site, fliers, and announcements. Please use MCRB in your communications.
- Email communications: Signature blocks on email communications that refer to office or lab room numbers should be changed from CCRB to MCRB.
Education and Events
Safety Show for Research Labs
Tuesday, October 14, 2008, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Cargill Building, St. Paul campus
DEHS, Fisher Scientific, and UStores are sponsoring a display of the newest safety equipment and disposables to make working safely easier. Free samples, pizza lunch, prizes, and safety seminars fill the day. Short 15-30 minute seminars will address some of the most frequent questions research labs have: DEHS review process of IACUC protocols' Disinfection ; Biological risk assessment; Dry ice update training (register online); Bloodborne Pathogen annual refresher training (register online). For more information contact 612-626-2145.
Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 14 LHI/KE
Joan Beckman, M.D./Ph.D. student, Vercellotti lab, will discuss "Seeding and propagation of untransformed mouse mammary cells in the lung," Katrina Podsypanina, et al. Science 2008;321:1841; and "The metastasis cascade," Klein CA. Science 2008;321:1785.
The Cancer Biology Journal Club is held every Wednesday. For more information contact Sonja Johnson (john4368@umn.edu) or Rachel Bergerson (sapl0005@umn.edu).
Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disease Conference
Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 4 p.m., 450 MCRB
Case presentation: PTLD
Leslie Smith, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT Fellow
Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series on Health Disparities
Thursday, October 16, 1-2 p.m., Room 105, 717 Delaware St., S.E., MinneapolisThe ATECAR-ASIAN Community Cancer Network: Sharing Common Goals to Reduce Cancer Disparities in Underserved Asian Communities
Grace Ma, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Public Health; Director, Center for Asian Health, College of Health Professions, Temple University.
Sandwiches and beverages will be provided for the first 50 attendees. The Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series is sponsored by the Program in Health Disparities Research in the University of Minnesota Medical School. For more information e-mail phdr@umn.edu.
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.
More Upcoming Events
October 23, 2008: Cancer U: Emerging Trends in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
October 25, 2008: Cancer Benefit Fund Couture for a Cure
October 30, 2008: Cancer U: Emerging Trends in Diagnosis and Treatment of Gynecological Cancers
November 1, 2008: Dawn of a Dream Gala benefiting Children's Cancer Research Fund
November 6, 2008: Cancer U: Emerging Trends in Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
November 7, 2008: Fifth meeting of the Minnesota Chemoprevention Consortium
November 13, 2008: Cancer U: Emerging Trends in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Program Meetings
Tumor Biology and Progression Program Meeting
Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 9-10 a.m., 2-633 Moos Tower
Program retreat planning meeting
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Cancer Epidemiology Interest Group Seminar
Friday, October 17, 2008, 12-1 p.m., Jackson 2-137
Clinical study of the effect of childhood obesity on phase I and phase II drug metabolism
L'Aurelle Johnson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota
Please RSVP to Logan Spector (spector@umn.edu) by Wednesday, October 15, to reserve a lunch.
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
BMT Program Conference
Monday, October 20, 2008, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 MCRB
Inhibition of GVHD using ex vivo expanded Treg: Update on Cord Blood Treg trial and initiation of Peripheral Blood Treg clinical trial
Keli Hippen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics/Hematolgy-Oncology
Margaret MacMillan, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology
Claudio Brunstein, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine/HOT
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
Sidney Kimmel Scholar and Translational Science Awards
Sidney Kimmel Foundation for Cancer Research
Deadline: December 3, 2008, 12 p.m. EST
Funding: $100,000/yr for two years
The Sidney Kimmel Scholar and Translational Science Awards are designed for young faculty members at U.S. institutions who do not yet have adequate funding to pursue independent research, but who have already established themselves through prior work. The Translational Science Award may include physicians who have some clinical interests with a related laboratory process. The Foundation will fund ten recipients for the Scholar Award and an additional five recipients whose research has a translational focus.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.