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November 11 , 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, November 11, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Cell-cell contact regulation in the pancreas and pancreatic cancer
Markus M. Lerch, M.D., F.R.C.P., Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine, A. Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universitat, Greifswald
Host: Ashok Saluja, Ph.D.
A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 1-2 p.m., 450 MCRB
Regulation and role of cyclin E in the genotoxic stress response
Alex Almasan, Associate Professor of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Co-leader: Radiation and Cellular Stress Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Host: Hoajie Huang, Ph.D.
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
News
Members in the news
John Kersey, M.D., Transplant Biology and Therapy Program member and Masonic Cancer Center founding director emeritus, and David Stahl, survivor of the world first successful bone marrow transplant for malignant lymphoma, were featured in a Minnesota Public Radio news report last Tuesday. The story was done in conjunction with the 40th anniversary celebration of the University of Minnesota's bone marrow transplantation program. Kersey led the team that performed the bone marrow transplant on Stahl. Kersey and John Wagner, M.D., co-leader of the Transplant Biology and Therapy Program, also were featured in a Star Tribune article about the 40th anniversary reunion, where more than 500 bone marrow transplant survivors and their family members from across the country celebrated their survivorship with physicians, nurses, and others involved in their treatment.
Update readers who missed the interview with Selwyn Vickers, M.D., on WCCO Radio's Mondale and Jones on November 5 can hear it on the Web site.
New leadership in Biomedical Informatics
Sarah Cooley, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, will serve as the director of Biomedical Informatics, a section of the Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource led by Chap Le, Ph.D. This core includes Biostatistics, coordinated by Robin Bliss, M.S.; Bioinformatics, coordinated by Kevin Silverstein, Ph.D., and Biomedical Informatics, managed by Cuong Nguyen. Update readers can meet the Biomedical Informatics Team (now 10 people strong) on Wednesday, November 12 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in 450 MCRB (see event listing below). E-mail Sarah Cooley at cool0023@umn.edu with any questions or suggestions about the role of Biomedical Informatics in the Masonic Cancer Center.
Masonic Memorial Hospital is now the Masonic Memorial Building
Following the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Masonic Memorial Hospital at 424 Harvard Street S.E., its name has been formally changed to the Masonic Memorial Building. The Board of Regents approved the name change at its October meeting to better reflect the building's current use. The building houses the Masonic Cancer Clinic, the Breast Center, and the General Clinical Research Center. A new street sign will be placed in front of the building in the next few weeks. View the sign (PDF).
Largaespada will be keynote speaker at SNO meeting
David Largaespada, Ph.D., leader of the Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, will be a keynote speaker at the Society of Neuro-Oncology's 13th Annual Scientific Meeting and Education Day November 20-23 in Las Vegas. Largaespada will talk about the use of Sleeping Beauty transposons in brain tumor research.
In addition, the following researchers will be presenting posters:
- Eric Rahrmann, graduate student, Largaespada lab, "A murine insertional mutagenesis screen to identify oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes involved in glial tumor initiation and progression"
- John Larson, graduate student, Largaespada lab, "Novel brain tumor gene identification using transposon-mediated insertional mutagenesis" (This poster was chosen as a select poster presentation.)
- Vincent Keng, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, Largaespada lab, "Elucidating the genetic complexity of plexiform neurofibroma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) in NF-1 syndrome using a conditional Sleeping Beauty transposon somatic insertional mutagenesis screen"
- Stacy Decker, graduate student, Ohlfest lab, "Induction of genetically engineered spontaneous glioma in the mouse using plasmid DNA" (This poster was chosen as a select poster presentation.)
- Flavia Popescu, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, Ohlfest lab, "CpG-enriched plasmid vaccination in a spontaneous mouse glioma model" (This poster was chosen as a select poster presentation.)
- Michael Olin, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, Ohlfest lab, "Influence of oxygen concentration on neurosphere cultures derived from surgically isolated gliomas: implications for immunotherapy"
- Sagar Agarwal, graduate student, Elmquist lab-"Impact of efflux transport systems on efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in glioblastoma"
New members
Michael S. Henson, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Clinical interest: Hematologic malignancies; head and neck cancer; bone/soft tissue cancer
Area of scientific interest: Comparative oncology, which integrates the study of naturally-occurring cancers in animals into investigations of cancer biology and therapy in humans.
Matthew A. Hunt, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery
Area of scientific interest: Treatment of brain and spinal tumors, both primary and metastatic, as well as MR imaging of brain tumors and the interaction of the blood brain barrier with tumors
Deepak Kademani, D.M.D., M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Program area(s) of interest: Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer, Tumor Biology and Progression, Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention
Clinical interest: Head and neck cancer
Area of scientific interest: Genomic expression profiling of oral squamous cell carcinoma; HPV role and significance in oral cancer; and etiology of young patients developing oral cancer
Angela R. Smith, M.D., M.S.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT
Program area of interest: Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship
Clinical interest: Childhood cancer; hematologic malignancies
Area of scientific interest: Etiology and diagnosis of acute hematopoietic stem cell transplantation complications with a specific focus on endothelial biology as well as transplant for acute leukemia and hemoglobinopathies
Education and Events
Employee Health and Benefits Fair 2008
Tuesday November 11, 2008, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center
The benefits fair offers information of medical plans, dental plans, flexible spending accounts, life and disability benefits, retirement savings, and employee wellness. Free flu shots, healthy and tasty treats, free massages, prizes and give-aways too!
Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 12-1 p.m., 14 LHI/KE
Monthly Cancer Biology Research Club Seminar
Two birds, one stone: Using cancer drugs to inhibit HIV infectivity
Christine Clouser, Ph.D., Cancer Biology Training Grant postdoctoral associate, Mansky lab
The Cancer Biology Journal Club is held every Wednesday. For more information contact Sonja Johnson (john4368@umn.edu) or Rachel Bergerson (sapl0005@umn.edu).
Welcome Reception for Masonic Cancer Center Biomedical Informatics Team
Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 450 MCRB
3:30-4 p.m.: Overview of the vision for Biomedical Informatics, Douglas Yee, M.D., director, Masonic Cancer Center; Sarah Cooley, M.D., director, Biomedical Informatics, and Mary Sumpmann, R.N., associate director for Administration
4-4:30 p.m.: Cookies and coffee
Cancer U: Emerging Trends in Prostate Cancer Research Treatment
Thursday, November 13, 2008, 6-8 p.m., Radisson University Hotel, Minneapolis
University of Minnesota urologic surgeon Joseph Lee, M.D., will present information and answer your questions about prostate cancer. More information and registration.
Minnesota Health Disparities Conference
Health Equality: Honoring Culture While Closing the Gap
November 12-14, 2008, Mystic Lake Casino and Hotel, Prior Lake, Minn.
The goal of this conference, sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health, is to create a dynamic forum on health equality for all levels of community engagement and diverse populations while celebrating effective health initiatives. For more information visit the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health Web site.
Program Meetings
Women's Cancer Interest Group Seminar
Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 10-11 a.m., 450 MCRB
Brk/ptk6-mediated events in mammary gland biology
Kristopher Lofgren, graduate student, Lange lab
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Cancer Biology Research Club
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 12-1 p.m., 14 LHI/KE
Two birds, one stone: Using cancer drugs to inhibit HIV infectivity
Christine Clouser, Ph.D., Cancer Biology Training Grant Postdoctoral Associate, Mansky lab
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center Lecture
Friday, November 14, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Separate and combined effects of tobacco and nicotine on bone fracture healing
Joan Bechtold, Ph.D., Director, Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Midwest Orthopaedic Research Foundation, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Brain Tumor Program Meeting
Monday, November 17, 2008, 9-10 a.m., 450 MCRB
Immunotherapy for dogs with brain tumors: initial results
G. Elizabeth Pluhar, D.V.M., Ph.D., Veterinary Clinical Sciences
BMT Program Conference
Monday, November 17, 2008, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 MCRB
Zebrafish: A new animal model for stem cell transplant and d homing
Troy Lund, M.D., Ph.D., Fellow, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
NIH:
Understanding the Effects of Emerging Cellular, Molecular, and Genomic Technologies on Cancer Health Care Delivery
PA-09-004 (R01)
PA-09-005 (R21)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): February 5, 2009 (R01), February 16, 2009 (R21)
Funding: Standard R01 limits and R21 limits apply
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites grant applications for health services research that address the utilization of emerging cellular, molecular, and genetic or genomic (CMG) technologies in cancer care. The studies will assess CMG technologies in relation to: (a) quality of care; (b) organizational barriers and change factors in utilization; (c) cost and cost-effectiveness; (d) disparities in access and efficacy; (e) monitoring of cross-sectional patterns of care and time trends; (f) impact on existing standards of care; and (g) influence on cancer outcomes such as incidence, progression, mortality, survival, and quality of life.
Small Grants for Behavioral Research in Cancer Control (R03)
(PAR-09-003)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): April 20, 2009
Funding: 2 years, $50,000 per year
This FOA is intended to provide support for investigators in cancer-related behavioral research, or investigators who want to refocus their research interests toward behavioral research in cancer control.
Basic and Preclinical Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) (R01)
(PA-09-010)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): February 5, 2009
Funding: Standard R01 limits apply.
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), encourages complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and conventional researchers to carry out basic and/or preclinical research on CAM areas of special interest with an aim to understand the mechanisms of action of a CAM modality.
Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents and Tumor Progression
PA-09-023 (R01)
PA-09-024 (R21)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): February 5, 2009 (R01), February 16, 2009 (R21)
Funding: Standard R01 limits and R21 limits apply
This funding opportunity announcement, issued by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), invites applications for research projects that investigate the effects of Erythropoietin (EPO) on tumor cell growth. EPO has been widely used to relieve the anemia associated with renal failure. In addition, EPO and other erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) have recently been used to treat the anemia associated with cancer chemotherapy. However, several clinical trials involving administration of ESAs, have suggested that ESAs may accelerate tumor progression and increase mortality in cancer patients. It is therefore important to understand the biology of ESAs on tumor cell growth and apoptosis. The purpose of this FOA is to stimulate high quality research on the effects of ESAs on tumor cell biology and tumor progression.
Non-NIH:
DoD Postdoctoral Award
Department of Defense
Application Receipt Date(s): December 3, 2008 (Pre-application due Nov. 19, 2008)
Funding: $75,000 per year for up to 3 years
The BCRP Postdoctoral Award mechanism was first offered in FY93. Since that time, 1,586 Postdoctoral Award proposals have been received and 525 have been recommended for funding. The Postdoctoral Award enables recent medical or other doctoral degree graduates to obtain the necessary experience to pursue an independent career in breast cancer research. Candidates for this award should exhibit a strong desire to pursue a career in breast cancer research.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update. Also, a list of organizations that provide funding for cancer research is provided on our Research Funding Resources page.
Employment Opportunities
Postdoctoral Research Fellows
The Department of Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School has up to two postdoctoral research fellowship positions in: health disparities, nicotine dependence/smoking cessation, obesity/weight loss, cardiovascular disease, or cancer prevention and control. Eligible candidates should have a doctoral degree in behavioral science, health education, health services research, sociology, anthropology, psychology, health communication, or a related discipline. Applicants should have excellent interpersonal skills and strong training in applied research. The primary responsibility of the post-doctoral fellow will be to assist in building active programs of research.
The fellowship provides exceptional mentored training with an opportunity to develop research skills and collaborate with a dynamic, federally funded, multi-disciplinary team of investigators including psychologists, physicians, epidemiologists, and statisticians. The position will offer a 2-3 year appointment with a flexible start date, competitive salary, excellent resources for career development, and liberal benefits. The fellowship can be tailored to suit the individual's training requirements with opportunities for teaching experience, clinical work, authorship on relevant manuscripts, collaborative grant writing experience, independent grant submission, and funding to obtain an M.P.H. or M.S. in Clinical Research. There is also ample support for conference travel and other training experiences. The postdoctoral fellow will receive primary mentorship from Dr. Jasjit S. Ahluwalia and work closely with Drs. Larry An, Janet Thomas, Kolawole Okuyemi, and Carla Berg.
If interested, submit your letter of intent, CV, and three letters of reference addressed to Jasjit S. Ahluwalia, M.D., M.P.H,, M.S. to the University of Minnesota Employment Web site: For more information, please contactLisa Aldrich (laldrich@umn.edu).
For more information about these positions and additional opportunities visit the Employment Opportunities Web page.