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Researchers and Staff
April 7 , 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, April 7, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Alcohol abuse, pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer
Stephen Pandol, M.D., Professor of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Staff Physician, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Host: Ashok Saluja, Ph.D.
A peek at the next seminar:
Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
mTOR and autophagy in cancer
Do-Hyung Kim, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics
For a complete schedule and to watch recorded seminars, visit the Web site.
News
Members in the news
Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., Prevention and Etiology Program, is featured in the cover story of Twin Cities Business, April issue, about the "Fantastic Four: University of Minnesota researchers whose work will change our lives." The story highlights the work of Hatsukami on testing a vaccine for nicotine addiction; Doris Taylor, M.D., on creating a live, beating heart in a laboratory; Karen Ashe, M.D., Ph.D., on finding and blocking a genetic trigger for Alzheimer's; and Meri Firpo, Ph.D., on using stem cells to create diabetes therapies.
Joseph Neglia, M.D., and Daniel Mulrooney, M.D., Prevention and Etiology Program, were quoted in Monday's Minnesota Daily front page story about the fourth annual survivorship educational conference and the Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic for survivors of childhood and young adult cancers. Approximately 200 survivors and their families attended the conference held April 4 at the McNamara Alumni Center. Mulrooney also was interviewed about the conference and cancer survivorship on WCCO Radio's Mondale & Jones program last week. The conference is presented in partnership with Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota Physicians Masonic Cancer Clinic, University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Children's Cancer Research Fund, and the National Children's Cancer Society. KARE TV sports director and cancer survivor Randy Shaver was the guest speaker.
Hagan receives postdoctoral fellowship for breast cancer research
Christy Hagan, Ph.D., postdoctoral associate in the laboratory of Carol Lange, Ph.D., Women's Cancer Research Program, has received a three-year, $75,000/year postdoctoral fellowship from the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program. Her study, "Progesterone receptor scaffolding function in breast cancer," will examine the role of a novel kinase interaction domain on the progesterone receptor in mediating the linkage between steroid hormone action and growth factor signaling. Targeting progesterone receptor and relevant protein kinases may provide a significant improvement to existing endocrine-based breast cancer therapies. Hagan also was awarded postdoctoral fellowships for this research from the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, but declined those awards after accepting the fellowship from the DOD.
Masonic Cancer Center annual report available online
The Masonic Cancer Center's annual report highlights research and outreach accomplishments, recognizes our donors, and provides a financial summary of fiscal year 2008. Feature articles include "Immunology discoveries spark medical advances in cancer prevention and treatment," "Translational research and pancreatic cancer—from bench to bedside and back again," "Beyond the Cure: New Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship Program," "Community partnerships to overcome unequal cancer burdens," and "Bridging the human/animal divide: We have a lot in common." Additional articles cover the historic $65 million donation from Minnesota Masonic Charities, the establishment of the John H. Kersey Chair in Cancer Research, innovative clinical trials, and the role of shared resources at the Masonic Cancer Center. View a PDF version of the annual report; individual articles from the report also are published in the Feature Stories section of the Masonic Cancer Center Web site.
Kudos
David Odde, Ph.D., was selected as the 2009 recipient of the George Taylor Award for Distinguished Research. The award is given annually to a faculty member in the Institute of Technology. Odde conducts research on cell mechanics and the cytoskeleton, and is interested in how cancer cells proliferate and migrate in response to the mechanical stiffness of their environment.
Waddah B. Al-Refaie, M.D., assistant professor of surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology, was appointed President-elect of the Minneapolis Surgical Society.
American Association of Cancer Research annual meeting
Masonic Cancer Center researchers will be among the participants presenting their research at the upcoming meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research April 18-22 in Denver. If you or someone from your laboratory is scheduled to give an oral or poster presentation at the meeting, please e-mail Sandi Sherman, sherm019@umn.edu, with your name, title and/or lab affiliation, your presentation title, type of presentation (oral or poster) and the session to which you will be presenting. We will publish the presentation information in future issues of Update.
Education and Events
Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, April 8, 2009. 12-1 p.m., 114 LHI (KE)
Monthly meeting of the Cancer Biology Research Club
Mcm10 and Cdc17: To be enjoyed only in moderation
Justin Haworth, Cancer Biology Training Grant Graduate Fellow, Bielinsky 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).
Lillihei Heart Institute Lecture
Wednesday, April 8, 12-1 p.m., 3-100 Mayo Auditorium
Divergent Regulation of Cell Death by NF-кB and E2F-1
Lorrie Kirshenbaum, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Cardiac Gene Biology, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface General Hospital Research Center.
Stick It to Cancer Tournament
April 17-19, Schwan Super Rink, National Sports Center, Blaine
Support breast cancer research at the Masonic Cancer Center and cheer on 74 girls' and women's hockey teams as they skate in support of family and friends in their fight against breast cancer. The tournament also includes a waffle breakfast on April 18. Last year, the tournament donated $67,500 to the Masonic Cancer Center. Volunteers from the Masonic Cancer Center are needed. Learn more about the tournament and how to volunteer.
Poster Registration now open for Spring Poster Session and Symposium
Online poster registration is now open for the 10th Annual Spring Poster Session and Symposium sponsored by the Masonic Cancer Center Shared Resources on May 14, 2009.
This year, posters will be judged by Masonic Cancer Center leaders in the following categories:
- Best in Each Cancer Center Program
- Best Use of Shared Resources
- Best New Technique
- Best Translational Research
- Best Clinical Research
Visit the Web site for more information and to register.
Visit the Upcoming Events Web page for more event listings.
Visit the Professional Education Web page for more conference and special lecture listings.
Program Meetings
Cancer Biology Research Club
Wednesday, April 8, 2009. 12-1 p.m., 114 LHI (KE)
Mcm10 and Cdc17: To be enjoyed only in moderation
Justin Haworth, Cancer Biology Training Grant Graduate Fellow, Bielinsky lab
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Women's Cancer Interest Group Seminar
Thursday, April 9, 2009, 10 a.m., 450 MCRB
Effects of CYP3A4 on proliferation and motility of breast cancer cells
Ranjana Mitra, Ph.D., Instructor, Department of Medicine/HOT
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center Lecture
Friday, April 10, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Pituitary-adrenocortical response to stress and endogenous opioids in dependent smokers
Mustafa al'Absi, Ph.D., Max & Mary LaDue Pickworth Professor, Behavioral Medicine, Director, Duluth Medical Research Institute, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
BMT Program Conference
Monday, April 13, 2009, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 MCRB
Show me the money: Costs of hematopoietic-cell transplantation
Navneet S Majhail, M.D., M.S., Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
2009 Masonic Cancer Center Internal Grants Program
Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
Statement of Intent due date: Friday, April 24, 2009 Click here to submit SOA
Application Receipt Date: Friday, May 22, 2009
Funding: Varies by mechanism
Five internal grant mechanisms are available through the Masonic Cancer Center. The goal of these programs is to foster the development of and provide support for novel research ideas that focus on a problem in cancer. In turn, the Masonic Cancer Center expects that internal funding will lead to nationally peer reviewed funding. The five specific mechanisms are Brainstorm, Cancer Control & Prevention, Translational Breast Cancer Research, Translational Sarcoma Cancer Research, and Tobacco Research. The required Statement of Intent and details regarding each mechanism can be found on the Masonic Cancer Center Web site.
American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant
Applications are being accepted until May 11, 2009. This grant is for assistant professors who have no independent national funding and are engaged in cancer-related research. Cancer-related research includes genetic mechanisms of cancer, molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and metastasis, development of novel cancer therapeutic models and translational research, cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Funding is available up to $30,000. Applications may be obtained by calling 612-626-1926 or sending email to micek003@umn.edu.
NIH:
Important Notices:
Recovery Act Notice: NIH ARRA Funding Considerations for Applications with Meritorious Scores that Fall Beyond the Pay-line
(NOT-OD-09-078)
National Institutes of Health
American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009
One of the ways NIH will implement the ARRA is to select existing peer-reviewed, meritorious grant applications, that can be accomplished in two years or less, meet the goals of the ARRA, and meet the mission priorities of an NIH IC. In general, existing applications eligible for consideration of 2-year funding under the ARRA are defined as applications submitted for funding with FY 2008 or FY 2009 funds that: (a) received meritorious priority scores from the initial peer review process; (b) received approval from an Advisory Council or Board prior to September 30, 2009; and (c) received priority scores that could not otherwise be paid in FY 2008 or 2009.
Community-Based Partnerships for Childhood Obesity Prevention and Control: Research to Inform Policy
(PA-09-140) - R03
(PA-09-141) - R21
Application Receipt Date(s): Multiple receipt dates, see announcements.
Funding: Standard NIH R03 and R21 funding limits apply.
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.