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Researchers and Staff
February 10 , 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 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.
A peek at the next seminar:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
A comparative approach towards metastasis biology and therapy
Chand Khanna, DVM, Ph.D., Head, Tumor and Metastasis Biology Section, Senior Scientist, Center for Cancer Research, Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute
Host: Cathy S. Carlson, D.V.M., Ph.D., Diplomate A.C.V.P.
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
News
Members in the news
David Largaespada, Ph.D., leader of the Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, was quoted in the article "Mapping with Mice" in the February issue of The Scientist.
Douglas Yee, M.D., director, and Todd Tuttle, M.D., members of the Women's Cancer Research Program, were quoted in a Minnesota Daily article about why women diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast choose to also have the other breast surgically removed.
Arkadiusz Dudek, M.D., member of the Tumor Biology and Progression Program, was quoted by Reuters Health about his research finding that the sequence of administration of the small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, sunitinib and sorafenib, may influence outcome of treatment in patients with advanced renal cell cancer. The study was published in the January 1 issue of Cancer.
Masonic Cancer Center researchers Michael Garwood, Ph.D., Douglas Yee, M.D., and Patrick Bolan, Ph.D., Women's Cancer Research Program; Scott Dehm, Ph.D., Tumor Biology and Progression Program, Dan Kaufman, M.D., Ph.D., Transplant Biology and Therapy Program, and David Perdue, M.D., were mentioned in various articles published in the winter issue of the Medical Bulletin, published by the University of Minnesota Medical School. Garwood is quoted in an article about the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research and the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for clinical diagnoses. A sidebar on using MRI for evaluating breast tumors quotes Bolan and mentions Yee and Garwood. Dehm is featured as the recipient of a Young Investigator Award for 2008 from the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Kaufman is noted in the magazine as project leader of a $100,000 Grand Challenges Exploration grant awarded to the University of Minnesota by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for a global health research project that will explore the use of new stem cell-based therapies to fight the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Perdue is quoted about a study of cancer rates among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Read more.
Cancer Researchers speak at surgical congress
Selwyn Vickers, M.D., cancer center associate director of translational research, presented an invited lecture, "The Glass Ceiling: Does It Still Exist for Women and Minorities in Surgery?", during the President's Clinical Topics Session at the 4th Annual Academic Surgical Congress held last week in Fort Myers, Fla. Cancer center members giving oral and poster presentations at the congress included Daniel Saltzman, M.D., Ph.D.; Ashok Saluja, Ph.D.; and Todd Tuttle, M.D.
Kudos
Masonic Cancer Center member Marnie Peterson, Ph.D., Pharm.D., was one of the faculty selected as Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) scholars for the Deborah E. Powell Center for Women's Health. The BIRCWH program fosters the career development of junior faculty members who are engaging in basic, clinical, translational, behavioral, or health services research in any area relevant to women's health.
Request to Masonic Cancer Center members
Members are invited to schedule meetings with the March 3 Cancer Center Seminar speaker Robert H. Weiss, M.D., a cell biologist and clinical nephrologist at UC Davis and chief of nephrology at the Sacramento VA Medical Center. His research interests are in DNA repair pathway signaling in cancer, polycystic kidney disease, and vascular disease. He also works on biomarker discovery in kidney cancer using proteomic and metabolomic methods. Faculty can request a meeting with him by contacting Jaime Modiano, modiano@umn.edu, or Robin Toy, toyxx010@umn.edu.
New members
Tim Griffin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics
Program area of interest: Tumor Biology and Progression
Clinical focus: Head and neck cancer
Area of scientific interest: Application of mass spectrometry-based proteomics for identifying protein biomarkers of cancer, with a current focus on oral cancer progression biomarkers in saliva, and use of these technologies for characterizing mechanisms of cancer development.
Elizabeth B. Habermann, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Basic and Translational Research
Program area of interest: Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship
Area of scientific interest: The study of cancer screening, outcomes and survivorship using Medicare and SEER cancer registries; disparities in cancer screening, treatment and survival
Daniel H. Kaplan, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology/Center for Immunology
Program area of interest: Immunology, Transplant Biology and Therapy
Clinical focus: Skin cancer/melanoma
Area of scientific interest: The precise role that dendritic cells in the skin play in the initiation and regulation of immune response.
Naoko N. Koyano, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience and the Stem Cell Institute
Program area(s) of interest: Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer
Area of scientific interest: Normal development of the nervous system, in particular transcription factors that regulate the transition from neuronal stem cells to neurons. Current findings focused on the role of the MTG/ETO family proteins in the regulation and control of cell cycle progression and specification of neuronal cell types. The laboratory is interested in interacting with cancer biologists to contribute to therapeutic applications and/or to a better understanding of cancer biology.
Rebecca J. Morris, Ph.D.
Professor, The Hormel Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer
Program area of interest: Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention, Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer
Clinical focus: Non-melanoma skin cancer
Area of scientific interest: Target cells in skin carcinogenesis; regulation of stem cell number and proliferative potential in normal and abnormal epidermis.
Christine E. Salomon, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Assistant Director, Center for Drug Design
Program area of interest: Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention
Area of scientific interest: Identification and characterization of novel natural products with activity against human disease targets and drug development; screening of microbial extracts for activities in whole cell assays using breast cancer, leukemia and colon cancer cell lines.
Christopher A. Warlick, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Urologic Surgery
Clinical focus: Urologic oncology/prostate cancer
Area of scientific interest: Development of novel imaging techniques for prostate cancer using high field strength flourine-based magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Education and Events
Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, February 11, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 114 LHI/KE
Monthly Cancer Biology Research Club Seminar
The multi-functions of ADAP: A tale of two pools
Jason Mitchell, Ph.D., Cancer Biology Training Grant Postdoctoral Fellow, Shimizu 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).
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 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
Cancer Biology Research Club
Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 114 LHI (KE)
The multi-functions of ADAP: A tale of two pools
Jason Mitchell, Ph.D., Postdoctoral associate, Shimizu lab
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Transdisciplinary Tobacco Research Use Center Lecture
Friday, February 13, 2009
Enhancing 'Quit and Win' contests to improve cessation among college smokers
Janet L. Thomas, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine , Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule, visit the Web. site.
BMT Program Conference
Monday, February 16, 2009, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 MCRB
Canceled due to ASBMT
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
FY09 Breast Cancer Research Program
Era of Hope Scholar Award
Pre-application (Nomination): March 12, 2009
Invited Proposal: June 17, 2009
Innovator Award
Pre-application (Nomination): March 12, 2009
Invited Proposal: June 17, 2009
Idea Award
Pre-application (Letter of Intent): March 25, 2009
Proposal: April 8, 2009
HBCU/MI Partnership Training Award
Pre-application (Letter of Intent): March 25, 2009
Proposal: April 8, 2009
FY09 Neurofibromatosis Research Program:
NF Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award
Pre-Application Letter of Intent deadline: March 24, 2009
Proposal deadline: April 14, 2009
NF New Investigator Award
Pre-Application Letter of Intent deadline: March 24, 2009
Proposal deadline: April 14, 2009
NF Postdoctoral Traineeship Award
Pre-Application Letter of Intent deadline: March 24, 2009
Proposal deadline: April 14, 2009
FY09 Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research Program:
TSC Career Transition Award: March 24, 2009
Proposal deadline: April 14, 2009
TSC Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award
Pre-Application Letter of Intent deadline: March 24, 2009
Proposal deadline: April 14, 2009
AHC seed grant applications now available
The Academic Health Center (AHC) is accepting applications for seed grants to fund faculty research. These funds will be distributed through a competitive peer review process. The maximum award per project is $25,000, and 15 awards will be funded. One Seed Grant for Alzheimer's or other neurodegenerative diseases will be funded by the Harold Soine Alzheimer's Research Fund. For details on eligibility and instructions on applying, visit the AHC Web site.
Clearway MinnesotaSM Research Funding Information Meeting
Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 3:30-5:00 p.m., 2-520 Moos Tower
An information meeting on research funding that is available for projects to reduce the harm tobacco causes people in Minnesota. Please RSVP to Megan Whittet at 952-767-1415, mwhittet@clearwaymn.org. More information on research funding is available on the Web site.
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.