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Researchers and Staff
December 9 , 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
There is no seminar on December 9 due to the American Society for Hematology annual meeting.
A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Genomics of sarcoma: Insights from microRNA and mRNA expression profiles
Subbaya Subramanian, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Lab Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
News
Robert Kratzke, M.D., Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, talked about cancer on the WCCO Radio program Saturday Night with Esme, hosted by Esme Murphy, on December 6. The program was a tribute to Bill Carlson, a WCCO newscaster who died of cancer last February.
Brian Van Ness, Ph.D., Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, was quoted in a Minnesota Daily article about his recent study that found a link between gene variations and cancer survival.
Largaespada investigates mysterious tumor disorder
The Masonic Cancer Center's David Largaespada, Ph.D., has been awarded a nearly $800,000 grant as part of a collaboration with researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital to study NF1 syndrome, a genetic disorder that, among other problems, causes benign tumors to grow in the nerves. These benign tumors, called neurofibromas, can sometimes suddenly transform into a malignant state, called malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). Read more.
U of M cancer researchers find older patients fare as well as younger patients from bone marrow transplants
Age alone should not determine whether a patient receives a blood and marrow stem cell transplantation for treatment of acute leukemia and diseases that can lead to the blood cancer, according to a large-scale study led by Transplant Biology and Therapy Program co-leader Daniel Weisdorf, M.D., and program member Brian McClune, D.O., in collaboration with researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The results were presented Monday at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in San Francisco. Read more.
More news from ASH
Also at the ASH annual meeting, Jatinder Lamba, Ph.D., spoke on "Gene expression profiling of acute myeloid leukemia shows pharmacodynamics" at the session on Genomic Pharmacology and Mechanisms of Drug Resistance. To see a list of other Masonic Cancer Center members who presented at ASH, visit the Web site.
Circle of Hope Bracelets donation to boost LMI vaccine clinical trial
Volunteers from Circle of Hope Bracelets presented the Masonic Cancer Center with an $18,000 gift November 11 to support a clinical trial for the treatment of malignant melanoma with large multivalent immunogen (LMI) vaccine. The trial is being led by Masonic Cancer Center researcher Arkadiusz Dudek, M.D., Ph.D. Read more.
Skubitz was invited speaker at Nuremburg symposium
Keith Skubitz, M.D., Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, was invited to speak on "Potential use of denosumab in the treatment of giant cell tumor of bone: Gene expression to clinical trial" at a symposium in October in Nuremberg honoring the 100th anniversary of Paul Ehrlich’s receipt of the Nobel Prize.
Masonic Cancer Center researchers to present at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
Members of the Women's Cancer Program will be presenting their research at the 31st Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dec. 10-14, in San Antonio, Texas:
The following members are giving oral presentations:
- Douglas Yee, M.D., "Distrupting IGF signaling in breast cancer as a therapeutic strategy" in an educational session on "Emerging Targets"
- Todd Tuttle, M.D., "Trends in the use of prophylactic surgery" in a mini-symposium on "Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction Strategies"
- Deepali Sachdev, Ph.D., " IGF-IR targeted therapy for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer," general session
- Xihong Zhang, Ph.D., "MCF-7 cells selected for resistance to an anti IGF-IR antibody remain sensitive to fulvestrant and to an IGF-IR tyrosine kinase inhibitor," general session
In addition, the following members of the Yee laboratory are presenting posters:
- Hua Zhang, Ph.D., Comparative breast tumor imaging to identify the expression of type I IGF receptor (IGF1R) by anti-IGF1R antibody-conjugated small molecule fluorophore or quantum dots in vivo." Zhang was also the recipient of a Novartis Oncology Basic Science Scholar award.
- Xianke Zeng, "Sequencing of type I IGF receptor (IGF1R) inhibition affects chemotherapy response in vitro and in vivo"
- Dedra Oberg Fagan, "Role of the insulin receptor in IGF-system signaling and biology"
- Yasir Ibrahim, Ph.D., "Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) targets both the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and integrin pathways for the inhibition of breast cancer cell motility." Ibrahim was also the recipient of an AACR Scholar In Training award.
- Marc Becker, "IGF-I mediated phosphorylation of ERαS167 occurs downstream of mTOR/p70S6K1 to impact nuclear localization and chromatin interaction." Becker was also the recipient of a Novartis Oncology Basic Science Scholar award.
New members
Anindya Bagchi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
Program areas of interest: Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer, Tumor
Biology and Progression
Clinical focus: Neuro-oncology, breast cancer
Area of scientific interest: Epigenetic regulation of gene expression in cancer and aging; functional identification of novel cancer related genes by analyzing the copy number variation in human cancers. To address these, we undertake a functional genomics approach using mouse as a model system.
Samir Suresh Khariwala, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Division of Otolaryngology
Research program areas of interest: Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention; Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship
Clinical focus: Head and neck cancer; skin cancer/melanoma, tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract; thyroid and salivary gland tumors
Area of scientific interest: Translational research to identify prognostic biomarkers and the information they can provide about tumor behavior to advance the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Kristin L. Oehlke, M.S.
Coordinator, Department of Surgery/Colorectal Surgery
Clinical focus: Familial cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, gynecologic cancer
Area of scientific interest: Ms. Oehlke is a genetic counselor who is coordinator of the William C. Bernstein, M.D. Familial Cancer Registry (WBFCR), which is a developing core resource for the Masonic Cancer Center that will enroll probands and family members with familial and hereditary breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer for follow up, referral, public health surveillance, and research.
Wendy M. Rahn, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Political Science, College of Liberal Arts
Founder and President, Survivors' Training
Program area of interest: Women's Cancer Research, Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship
Area of scientific interest: Effects of regular physical activity on survivors' quality of life, cancer recurrence rates and cancer survival.
Lila J. Rutten, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Research Investigator, Health Partners Research Foundation
Program areas of interest: Prevention and Etiology, Women's Cancer
Area of scientific interest: Population-level cancer prevention and control with a focus on health communication and health behavior in order to provide and evidence base for the dissemination of effective cancer prevention and control research to the public, patients and advocates.
Education and Events
Support Sarcoma Research at the 'U'
Wednesday, December 10 and Thursday, December 11, 2008, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 2nd floor, Phillips-Wangensteen Building
Volunteers from Rein in Sarcoma will be in the hall across from the Outside-Inn Cafe selling merchandise to benefit Sarcoma Cancer Research at the University of Minnesota. All merchandise is donated so that 100 percent of the proceeds go to research.
Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 14 LHI/KE
Monthly Cancer Biology Research Club Seminar
The generation and function of CD4+ Memory T cell subsets
Marion Pepper Pew, Ph.D., Cancer Biology Training Grant Postdoctoral Associate, Jenkins 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).
Thermo Fisher Scientific Equipment Maintenance Seminar
Thursday, December 11, 2008, 10-11 a.m., 450 MCRB
Maintenance of laboratory equipment is vital to equipment performance and longevity. In addition, recent studies by University of Minnesota Facilities have shown that proper equipment maintenance and cleaning of refrigeration equipment reduces energy consumption.
Refreshments will be provided.
Center for Bioethics Seminar
Friday, December 12, 2008, 12:15–1:30 p.m., 3-125 Mayo
Beyond the Bench: The Role of Research Ethics Consultation Service
Jennifer McCormick, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Biomedical Ethics; Associate Consultant (Research) Division, General Internal Medicine Program, Professionalism and Bioethics, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine
Professor McCormick's current research interests are on the intersection of science, policy, and society, especially for life and biomedical sciences. She is working on a multi-phase study evaluating life scientists' perceptions of the ethical and societal implications of life science research. She is also involved in several projects on investigating human embryonic stem cell policy. Her ongoing interest is on the discourse around social responsibility and the role of scientists in the policy formation process.
PLEASE NOTE: This event has been designated by the Office of the Vice President for Research to satisfy the Awareness/Discussion component of the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) continuing education requirement. A sign-in sheet for RCR credit will be available on-site.
Retirement Reception for Mimi Yu
Friday, December 12, 2008, 3-4:30 p.m. (brief program at 3:30), 450 MCRB
Please join the Masonic Cancer Center members and staff at a reception to thank Mimi Yu for her contributions and to wish her well as she retires from the University.
Program Meetings
Women's Cancer Interest Group Seminar
Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 10-11 a.m., 450 MCRB
Johanna Ecklund, graduate student, Schwertfeger lab
CXCL1 promotes inflammatory-driven mammary tumorigenesis
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Cancer Biology Research Club
Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 14 LHI/KE
The generation and function of CD4+ Memory T cell subsets
Marion Pepper Pew, Ph.D., Cancer Biology Training Grant Postdoctoral Associate, Jenkins lab
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center Seminar
Friday, December 12, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Zebrafish nicotine genetics
Stephen C. Ekker, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Editor-in-Chief Zebrafish, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
BMT Program Conference
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
Important NIH Notices:
Enhancing Peer Review: The NIH Announces Updated Implementation Timeline
(NOT-OD-09-023)
Enhancing Peer Review: The NIH Announces New Scoring Procedures for Evaluation of Research Applications Received for Potential FY2010 Funding
(NOT-OD-09-024)
Enhancing Peer Review: The NIH Announces Enhanced Review Criteria for Evaluation of Research Applications Received for Potential FY2010 Funding
(NOT-OD-09-025)
NIH Announces the Availability of Adobe-Based Grant Application Forms
(NOT-OD-09-026)
NIH Funding Opportunities:
Enhancing Tumoricidal Activity of Natural Killer (NK) Cells by Dietary Components for Cancer Prevention (R01)
National Cancer Institute
Deadline: February 5, 2009
Funding: $250,000/yr
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA), issued by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is designed to stimulate research efforts aimed at establishing the physiological significance of dietary components in modulating the tumoricidal cell activity of natural killer (NK) cells for cancer prevention. The focus of research projects proposed in response to this FOA should be on defining the minimum quantity and duration of exposure to specific dietary components to modulate tumoricidal cell activity of NK cells for cancer prevention and the underlying mechanism(s) accounting for this response.
Other Funding Opportunities:
Over $9.5 Million in Cancer Research Grants Available
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) Innovative Research Grants
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Deadline: Letter of Intent: January 22, 2009; Application: May 15, 2009
AACR announces a call for Letters of Intent for Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) Innovative Research Grants. These grants, established in honor of the late Judah Folkman, M.D., are open to independent investigators early in their careers and will fund novel, high-risk, high-reward cancer research proposals that have significant potential for translational application and hold great promise for advancing SU2C's overarching goal of improving and saving the lives of patients.
AACR is also offering an array of other support mechanisms for cancer researchers at various stages in their careers from fellowships to awards for independent investigators. Applications are now being accepted for fellowships in basic, clinical, and translational cancer research, fellows grants for pancreatic and metastatic colorectal cancer research, and career development awards in pediatric cancer research. Click here for application deadlines and specific eligibility requirements.
AACR Annual Meeting Travel Awards
The American Association for Cancer Research is accepting applications for the following four travel award mechanisms for participation in the 2009 Annual Meeting taking place in Denver, Colorado April 18-22, 1999:
AACR Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Awards
AACR Minority-Serving Institution Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research Awards
Thomas J. Bardos Science Education Awards for Undergraduate Students
For more information about the meeting and other award opportunities, visit the Web site.
2009 Advanced Clinical Research Award in Breast Cancer
2009 Advanced Clinical Research Award in Glioma
ASCO Cancer Foundation
Deadline: Letter of Intent: December 11, 2008; Completed Application: January 8, 2009
Funding: $450,000 paid in three annual increments to the awardees' sponsoring institution
The Advanced Clinical Research Award (ACRA) s designed to provide funding to investigators who are committed to clinical cancer research, and is intended to support original research not currently funded. This research must have a patient-oriented focus, including a clinical research study and/or translational research involving human subjects.
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.