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Researchers and Staff
February 3 , 2009
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, February 3, 2009, 12-1- p.m., 450 MCRB
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
A peek at the next seminar:
Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Stem cell issues in the prostate
Wendy J. Huss, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Oncology, Department of Urologic Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Host: Kaylee Schwertfeger, Ph.D.
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
News
Comparative Pathology Shared Resource featured in Shared Resources Seminar
"From mouse to microscope to manuscript: The role of the Comparative Pathology Shared Resource" was the subject of the February 2 Shared Resources Seminar. To learn more and to watch a video about the Comparative Pathology Shared Resource, visit the Comparative Pathology Shared Resource Web site.
Shared Resources Seminars are on the first Monday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. in 450 MCRB. The next seminar will feature the Health Survey Research Center.
Members in the news
The Masonic Cancer Center was cited in a January 27 Wall Street Journal article about research that shows smokeless tobacco products are not harmless.
Todd Tuttle, M.D., Women's Cancer Program, was quoted in Houston Chronicle and Medical News Today articles about a recent study that identified markers that may predict who would and would not benefit from preventive mastectomies. Tuttle was the author of a 2007 study that reported a sharp increase in such surgery. Tuttle and Beth Virnig, Ph.D., co-leader, Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship Program, were also quoted in a cover story in HemOnc Today about the physician's role in the decision-making process for preventive mastectomies.
Daniel Saltzman, M.D., Ph.D., and Ed Greeno, M.D., were quoted in the January 27 Minnesota Daily about a new clinical trial that will use a genetically altered strain of salmonella as a method to treat gastrointestinal cancer.
Cancer Center Seminar lecturer Chand Khanna available for meetings during visit
Chand Khanna, D.V.M., Ph.D., head of the Tumor and Metastasis Biology Section of the Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, will give the February 17 Cancer Center Seminar. Please contact Cathy Carlson, D.V.M., Ph.D., 612-625-7717, carls099@umn.edu, if you would like to meet with Dr. Khanna during his visit. He has open times available between 10 and 11:45 a.m. and between 2:15 and 3 p.m. on February 17.
LeBien and Pennell provide in-service for science teachers
Tucker LeBien, Ph.D., associate director for basic research, and Chris Pennell, Ph.D., Immunology Research Program member, tag-teamed to provide an in-service about the Masonic Cancer Center and laboratory research to science teachers at Arlington BioSMART Magnet School in St. Paul on January 27.
LeBien explained the Masonic Cancer Center, its function as an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, and told the story of how basic laboratory research led to the development of Gleevac, a highly effective drug created in the last decade for treatment of leukemia. Pennell discussed the basics of cancer and previewed a computer modeling program about cancer that he is developing as an instructional tool for science teachers. Karen Casper, head of the school's Biomedical and Health Sciences Pathway Program, coordinated the presentation by LeBien and Pennell, attended by about 30 of the school's faculty members.
Education and Events
Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, February 4, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 114 LHI/KE
Michelle Gleason, Miller lab, will discuss "Leukemic cells create bone marrow niches that disrupt the behavior of normal hematopoietic progenitor cells," Coleman A., et al., Science 2008;322:1861.
The Cancer Biology Journal Club is held every Wednesday. For more information contact Sonja Johnson (john4368@umn.edu) or Rachel Bergerson (sapl0005@umn.edu).
Annual Safety Refresher Training
Wednesday, February 4, 2009, 2-3:30 p.m., or Thursday, February 5, 2009, 9-10:30 a.m., or 1-2:30 p.m., 450 MCRB
Three sessions have been scheduled for lab safety refresher training for the Masonic Cancer Center. Training will cover chemical safety, hazardous waste, bloodborne pathogen, and radiation safety. Annual safety refresher training is mandatory for all lab staff, students and faculty. More information and registration.
Developmental Origins of Cancer: A Minnesota Futures Grant Symposium
February 28-March 1, 2009, University of Minnesota
The Developmental Origins of Cancer Symposium is a free conference presented as part of the Minnesota Futures Grant Program. The goals of this symposium are to bring together scientists and other professionals across disciplines to discuss the latest research in the field, to promote interdisciplinary interactions, and to stimulate the development of new research projects centered on the developmental origins of cancer. This interactive symposium includes internationally recognized experts on this topic and will provide a forum to identify the most pressing questions related to the early life origins of cancer and ways to address them through presentations, discussions, and brainstorming sessions. Registration is required and is expected to fill quickly. Last day to register is Sunday, February 15. More information and registration.
More Upcoming Events
February 13-15, 2009: Genes, Dogs & Cancer: 5th International Canine Cancer Conference
February 19, 2009: State of the Academic Health Center Address
February 28, 2009: Cancer and the Human Body Exhibit
February 23-March 23, 2009: Mini Medical School Spring 2009: New Frontiers in Medicine
March 11, 2009: Masonic Cancer Center Recognition Program Awards
March 23-25, 2009: Targeted Anticancer Therapies Symposium
March 26: Living with Lymphoma: Healthy Nutrition for Lymphoma Patients During and After Chemotherapy
April 4, 2009: Survivorship Series: Living Well After Cancer
April 26, 2009: Cancer U: Curbing Cancer's Growth in the Body: Advances in Research and Treatment
Program Meetings
Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program Special Seminar
Wednesday, February 4, 2009, 10:30 a.m., 450 MCRB
Molecular epidemiology and biology of esophageal cancer in Taiwan: From bench to bedside
Ming-Tsang Wu, M.D., Sc.D., M.O.H., Director and Professor, Graduate Institute of Occupational Safety & Health Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
Light refreshments will be available.
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Immunology Program Seminar
Wednesday, February 4, 2009, 1:30-2:30 p.m., 6-101 Nils Hasselmo Hall
A myeloid pathway of NK cell development: New insights into NK cell development
Michael Verneris, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
BMT Program Conference
Monday, February 9, 2009, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 MCRB
The case for stem cell transplantation for older patients with myeloid malignancies
Brian McClune, D.O., Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
Notice: Adobe Program upgrade needed for current NIH proposal packages
Is your Adobe program (Acrobat, Reader, etc.) compatible with the current NIH proposal packages? Visit the Grants.gov test application package Web page to find out and prepare yourself for almost all current and future NIH proposal submissions.
FY09 Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP)
Synergistic Idea Development Award
Pre-application deadline: March 3, 2009
Invited Proposal deadline: June 10, 2009
Idea Development Award
Pre-application deadline: March 3, 2009
Proposal deadline: June 10, 2009
MOCA 2009 Ovarian Cancer Research Awards
Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance
Application Deadline: March 6, 2009
Funding: $100,000
Research proposals may be individual projects or part of a larger research project related to ovarian cancer. Awards will be granted only to projects conducted in the state of Minnesota by Minnesota based researchers. All research proposals will be considered, however, special consideration will be given to proposals related to clinical trials and ones which may lead to improvements in treatment for women with ovarian cancer.