Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota

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Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota

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

 

Today's Seminar

News

Education and Events

Program Meetings

Funding News and Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

 

Today's Seminar

There is no seminar scheduled for April 21 due to the AACR annual meeting.

A peek at the next seminar:
Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Tumorigenesis in neurofibromatosis: Timing and targets
Nancy Ratner, Ph.D., Professor, Division of Experimental Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Host: Christopher Moertel, M.D.

For a complete schedule and to watch recorded seminars, visit the Web site.

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News

Jian-Min Yuan, Ph.D., M.D., Prevention and Etiology Program, was quoted by Reuters, National Public Radio, Bloomberg News, HealthDay, Forbes.com, Science News and Science Daily, MSNBC about his research study that found people with high amounts in their urine of NNAL, a nicotine byproduct, had double the risk of developing lung cancer compared to smokers with lower amounts. When cotinine, another nicotine byproduct, was factored in, the smokers had nearly a nine times greater risk of getting lung cancer compared to smokers with lower levels of the two compounds. Yuan reported his findings Sunday at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research in Denver. Read more.

Selwyn Vickers, M.D., associate director of translational research and Tumor Biology and Progression Program member, was featured in a KSTP-TV news report Friday about pancreatic cancer research and treatment. The story, "U recruits top docs to battle pancreatic cancer," also includes comments from a patient treated at the University.

Todd Tuttle, M.D., Women's Cancer Program, was quoted in news reports by United Press International, Medscape Oncology, and The Medical Observer in Sydney, Australia, about his study that more women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ are opting for double mastectomy surgery.

Logan Spector, Ph.D., Prevention and Etiology Program, was quoted in a news story in Science about newborn blood screening programs and growing public concern regarding researchers' access to the samples and informed consent issues.

Largaespada and Cormier receive grant to study colorectal cancer genes
David Largaespada, Ph.D., leader of the Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, and program member Robert Cormier, Ph.D., University of Minnesota Medical School-Duluth, are co-principal investigators on a newly-awarded NIH R01 grant "Transposon-based screens for colorectal cancer genes." This grant is based on their recent work that used mouse models and a transposable element called Sleeping Beauty to find genes that can drive colorectal cancer (Starr et al., Science, 2009). They will extend this work to study colorectal cancer in different genetic contexts and to study the function of new genes and pathways in this disease. Their studies demonstrate the power of combining transposon-based mutagenesis research with human studies in identifying the driver mutations that cause cancer. Similar results are accumulating for hepatocellular carcinoma, brain tumors, sarcomas, and several other types of cancer.

Update on cancer researchers presenting at the AACR Annual Meeting
The following Masonic Cancer Center members are scheduled to present at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR). For a complete list of presenters that have been announced in Update, visit the Web site.

Oral presentation:

Poster presentations:

  • Ann M. Bode, Ph.D., "The transient receptor potential type vanilloid 1 suppresses skin carcinogenesis"
  • Steven Carmella, Hecht Lab : "Effects of smoking cessation on eight urinary tobacco carcinogen and toxicant biomarkers"
  • Yong-Yeaon Cho, Bode/Dong labs, "Cdk3-mediated c-Jun phosphorylation at Ser63 and Ser73 enhances cell transformation"
  • Marna E. Ericson, Ph.D., "Second harmonic imaging (SHG) of collagen fibrils at the tumor/stromal interface: an optical biomarker that reflects tumor growth or regression and can predict efficacy of chemotherapy"
  • Nam Joo Kang, Bode/Dong lab, "Caffeic acid, a phenolic phytochemical in coffee, directly inhibits Fyn kinase activity and UVB-induced COX-2 expression"
  • Sung-Young Lee, Bode/Dong lab, "Heterodimeric AP-1 (JunD/c-Fos) is involved in hematopoiesis in synergy with BMP-4 during vertebrate development.
  • Jaime Modiano, V.M.D., Ph.D., "Characterization of putative lymphoma-initiating (cancer stem) cells in canine lymphoma"
  • Angelo Pugliese, Bode/Dong labs, "Modeling of the interaction between EGCG and two separate kinase domains of RSK2"
  • Evgeny A. Rogozin, Bode lab, "Biomarkers and mechanisms of action of Iressa (Gefitinib, ZD1839) on human breast and bladder cancer cells"
  • Greg M. Sindberg, Mauro/Beitz labs, "Osteoblast-tumor interactions modulate TGFalpha-mediated regulation of MCP-1"
  • Janel Warmka, postdoctoral fellow in Petersons lab, "Phenotyping human livers for repair of O6-methylguanine and O6-[4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)butyl]guanine adducts by O6 alkylguanine DNA alkyl-transferaseenesis 6
  • Ke Yao, Bode/Dong labs, "A regulatory mechanism of RSK2 N-terminal kinase activity"
  • Duo Zheng, Dong lab, "The cannabinoid receptors are required for UV-induced inflammation and skin cancer development"
  • Tatyana A. Zykova, Bode/Dong lab, "Resveratrol Directly Targets COX-2 to Inhibit Carcinogenesis"

Kudos to cancer center members whose abstracts have been designated "Highly Rated Poster Presentations" in the online Proceedings of the AACR. The posters, which were rated in the top 3-4 percent, will be marked with rosettes during their presentation in the poster sessions.

  • Arkadiusz Z. Dudek, M.D., Ph.D., "Phase I study of gemcitabine plus bortezomib in elderly patients with solid tumors"
  • Heather H. Nelson, M.P.H., Ph.D., "Smoking history determines the pattern of methylation change in lung tumors"
  • Kim Robien, Ph.D., "WCRF/AICR diet and physical activity guideline adherence associated with quality of life among elderly female cancer survivors"
  • Jian-Min Yuan , Ph.D., "Urinary levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamine metabolites in relation to lung cancer development in two prospective cohorts of cigarette smokers" (See related news release.)
  • Mingyao Wang, "Clear differences in formaldehyde-DNA adducts in leukocytes of smokers and non-smokers"
  • Mariangellys Rodriguez, graduate student, Potter lab, "Possible role of insulin-like growth factor I in breast cancer progression via the CYP1A1 epoxygenase pathway"

In addition, a review article by Deepali Sachdev, Ph.D., "Disrupting insulin-like growth factor signaling as a potential cancer therapy" is being highlighted at the meeting as the highest-cited 2007 paper from the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. A slide featuring her paper will appear in the transition slide package between sessions along with slides recognizing the highest-cited papers of the AACR's other journals.

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Education and Events

Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, April 22, 2009. 12-1 p.m., 114 LHI (KE)
Wynette Dietz, graduate student in the Pennell lab, will discuss "TGF-beta increases glioma-initiating cell self-renewal through the induction of LIF in human glioblastoma," Peñuelas S., et al., Cancer Cell 2009;15:315-327.

The Cancer Biology Journal Club is held every Wednesday. For more information contact Sonja Johnson (john4368@umn.edu) or Rachel Bergerson (sapl0005@umn.edu).

Clinical Research Coordinator's Group Meeting
Thursday, April 23, 7:30 a.m., 5-125 Moos Tower
"Navigating the IRB Continuing Review Process"
This interactive discussion on the continuing review process, its regulatory basis and significance, and how to avoid the common pitfalls encountered in the process is open to anyone in the research community.

New Developments and Proven Solutions for ELISpot Assays
Thursday, April 23, 2009, 1:45-4:30 p.m., 450 MCRB
1:45-3:45: "How to run an optimal ELISpot Assay," Sylvia Janetzki, M.D., ZellNet Consulting, Inc.
3:45-4:30: Demonstration/open discussion

Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP at www.zellnet.com/seminarregistration2/.

Special Seminar
Monday, April 27, 2009, 2:30-3:30 p.m., 450 MCRB
Applications of retrovirus-mediated gene transfer in a variety of research projects
Toshio Kitamura, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Professor, Division of Cell Therapy, Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo University
Dr. Kitamura developed pMX retroviral vectors. He will talk about its applications for a variety of research projects in the hematology/oncology and stem cell field.

Host: Masato Yamamoto, M.D., Ph.D.

Co-sponsored by Sponsored by the Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Surgery and the Masonic Cancer Center

Neurofibromatosis (NF): Defining Standards of Care
Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 450 MCRB
This free program is designed for physicians and health care providers who take care of patients with NF. The keynote speaker is Nancy Ratner, Ph.D., Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Ratner, who is an international expert on NF, will discuss the newest advances in research and treatment. Other speakers will discuss the science of NF, its genetics, orthopedic and other issues associated with this condition.

From more information and to register, contact Tammie Dahlheimer, CNP, coordinator, Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program and Neurofibromatosis Clinic; tdahlheimer@umphysicians.umn.edu; 612-626-2629.

Cancer U: Ask the Experts Programs

Curbing Cancer's Growth in the Body: Advances in Research and Treatment
April 26, 2009, 1-4 p.m., Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota
This seminar will focus on the research being done by the Masonic Cancer Center's Tumor Biology and Progression Research Program and how this research is being put into practice by University of Minnesota physicians to find cancer earlier and to be more successful at preventing its growth and spread. Presenters will include James McCarthy, Ph.D., leader of the Tumor Biology and Progression Research Program; Arkadiusz Dudek, M.D., Ph.D., medical oncologist and Masonic Cancer Center researcher; and Selwyn Vickers, M.D., chief of the Medical School's Department of Surgery and associate director of translational research for the Masonic Cancer Center. More information and registration.

Men's Cancer: Advances in Research and Treatment
Thursday, April 30, 2009, 6-8 p.m., Radisson University Hotel, University of Minnesota campus
J. Kyle Anderson, M.D., urologic surgeon, assistant professor of urologic surgery, will present information and answer questions about prostate cancer. More information and registration.

Women's Cancer: Advances in Research and Treatment
Thursday, May 7. 2009, 6-8 p.m., President's Room, Coffman Union, University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota experts will present information and answer questions about breast and gynecologic cancers. Presenters will include hematologist/oncologist David Potter, M.D., Ph.D., and gynecologic oncologist Rahel Ghebre, M.D. More information and registration.

Attendance at each of these community education programs is free but pre-registration is requested.

Ice Cream Social
Wednesday, May 6, 2009, 2 p.m., 7th floor MCRB
Mark your calendars! The monthly Ice Cream Social is returning to the Masonic Cancer Center  Ice cream and fixings are $1 at the door.

For a limited time, April 20-24, special discount cards (6 sundaes for $5) are available in MCRB 754. E-mail Sabine at fritz017@umn.edu for more information.

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. The deadline for registering a poster is May 1.

Visit the Upcoming Events Web page for more event listings.
Visit the Professional Education Web page for more conference and special lecture listings.

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Program Meetings

Women's Cancer Interest Group
Thursday, April 23, 10 a.m., 450 MCRB
Exploring the role of progesterone receptor/MAPK-module complex formation in breast cancer models
Christy Hagan, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Lange lab

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

BMT Program Conference
Monday, April 27, 2009, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 MCRB
KIR in allotransplant: Finding a super donor
Sarah Cooley, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation
and
How hypomagnesemia can make your day
Susan Packard Zutz, BMT Clinic Manager

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

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Funding News and Opportunities

Masonic Cancer Center Internal Grants Program
Statement of Intent - Due April 24, 2009
This document is required in order to submit a full proposal. Each applicant must submit an electronic Statement of Intent as part of their submission of a pilot proposal. Submit a Statement of Intent. Directions can be found on the Masonic Cancer Center Web site. Contact Aaron Schilz for questions and more information: 612-624-0650, schil226@umn.edu.

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.

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.

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Employment Opportunities

Sr. Lab Tech (professional non-faculty, requisition number 159521) working in the lab of Carol Lange, Ph.D.

Assistant Scientist (professional non-faculty, requisition number 160690) working in the lab of Scott Dehm, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate
A full-time, NIH-funded postdoctoral associate position is available to study the mechanisms of prostate cancer progression. The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related discipline, and a strong track record of accomplishments and productive scientific training. Please apply online through the employment system by submitting a letter of application, C.V., and the names and contact information for 2-3 references. See requisition number: 160689
Principal Investigator: Scott Dehm, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate
A postdoctoral associate position is available immediately to study growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase-initiated signal transduction pathways relevant to human breast cancer cell biology and tumor progression. Qualified candidates must have a Ph.D. Interest and expertise in cancer biology, signal transduction, endocrinology or hormone action, protein biochemistry and modern molecular biology is preferred. Qualified applicants should send a statement of interest, curriculum vitae and contact information for three references online through the employment system. See requisition number: 160725
Principal Investigator: Carol Lange, Ph.D.

For more information about these positions and additional opportunities visit the Employment Opportunities Web page.

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