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Researchers and Staff
May 5, 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, May 5, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Clinical and etiological importance of epigenetic profiles in bladder cancer
Carmen Marsit, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Bio Med Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University
Host: Heather Nelson, Ph.D.
A peek at the next seminar:
Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Molecular determinants limiting estrogen receptor and hormone responsiveness in breast cancer
Elaine Alarid, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin
Host: Deepali Sachdev, Ph.D.
For a complete schedule and to watch recorded seminars, visit the Web site.
News
Herberger's Mother's Day promotion benefits Masonic Cancer Center
In a Mother's Day promotion to benefit breast cancer research, Minnesota Herberger's department stores will donate to the Masonic Cancer Center $4 for every sale of a special lunch tote. Herberger's has long supported the cancer center with its "Charge Against Breast Cancer" program, which supports breast cancer research at the cancer center every time a customer makes a purchase with the Herberger's Rose charge card.
Members in the news
Brian Van Ness, Ph.D., Genetic Mechanisms of Research Program,was featured in the May 3 KARE-11 Extra "New hope for cancer patients," about drug sensitivity assays and pharmacogenomic research. See the story on the KARE-11 Web site.
Todd Tuttle, M.D., Women's Cancer Research Program, was quoted in the Spokesman Review, Spokane, Wash., about his recent study that more women diagnosed with cancer in one breast are choosing to have the other healthy breast also surgically removed.
Yee presents at Boman Symposium in Duluth
Douglas Yee, M.D., director and program co-leader of the Women's Cancer Research Program, provided the keynote speech, "Targeting the IGF System in Cancer," for the Annette L. Boman Women's Fellowship for Cancer Research Symposium and Award Presentation. The April 28 event, co-sponsored by the Academic Health Center, Duluth and SMDC Health Systems, was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Duluth.
Kudos
Congratulations to Todd Tuttle, M.D., and Beth Virnig, Ph.D., co-leader of the Masonic Cancer Center's Outcomes and Survivorship Program. Their research paper "Increasing use of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy for breast cancer patients: a trend toward more aggressive surgical treatment" was selected as one of the top 10 breast cancer papers of the decade at the recent annual meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Tuttle led the research team on this study, which, in addition to Virnig, included Elizabeth Habermann, E.H. Grund, and T.J. Morris. The paper was published in 2007 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Mariangellys Rodriquez, B.S., Potter lab, received a 2009 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Minority Scholar Award in Cancer Research to participate in the AACR annual meeting that was held in April. Scholars are selected on the basis of their qualifications, references from mentors, and an estimation of the potential professional benefit to the awardees. Her poster, which was designated by AACR as "Highly Rated" (top 3-4 percent), was "Possible role of insulin-like growth factor I in breast cancer progression via the CYP1A1 epoxygenase pathway."
Education and Events
Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, May 6, 2009. 12-1 p.m., 114 LHI (KE)
David Largaespada, Ph.D., will discuss "Transient potent BCR-ABL inhibition is sufficient to commit chronic myeloid leukemia cells irreversibly to apoptosis," Shah NP et al., Cancer Cell. 2008 Dec 9;14(6):485-93.
The Cancer Biology Journal Club is held every Wednesday. For more information contact Sonja Nodland (john4368@umn.edu) or Rachel Bergerson (sapl0005@umn.edu).
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. E-mail Sabine at fritz017@umn.edu for more information.
The Many Faces of Breast Cancer
Friday, May 8, 12-2 p.m. (doors open at 11:30 a.m.), Great Room, Mall of America, Bloomington
The Many Faces of Breast Cancer event focuses on the unique needs and issues of survivors. Leading medical experts will offer insight on the latest data about treatment as well as key issues for survivors. Speakers will include Douglas Yee, M.D., director; Barbara Bowers, M.D., Masonic Cancer Center member and medical director, Fairview Southdale Oncology Clinic; and Harold Londer, M.D., medical director, Hubert H. Humphrey Cancer Center.
Culver's Day of Giving
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
On Tuesday, May 12, your neighborhood Culver's Restaurant will donate 10 percent of sales to the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund. Enjoy a delicious meal to benefit a great cause.
Spring Poster Session and Symposium
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The 10th Annual Spring Poster Session and Symposium sponsored by the Masonic Cancer Center Shared Resources will highlight the research of students, staff, post-docs, and PIs, who have used the facilities and services provided by Shared Resources.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.
Conference on Genome Engineering
June 25-27, 2009, Depot Renaissance Hotel, Minneapolis
Over a dozen invited speakers will address topics ranging from targeted mutagenesis with nucleases, gene therapy, synthetic genomes and insertional mutagenesis by transposons. Additional speakers will be selected from submitted abstracts. The conference is sponsored jointly by the University's Center for Genome Engineering and the Institute for Human Genetics. Questions can be directed to Elizabeth Fedie at efedie@umn.edu. For more information and to register, visit the conference Web site.
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
Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center
Friday, May 8, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Advances in the pharmacologic treatment of smokeless tobacco use
Jon Ebbert, M.D., M.Sc., Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Mayo Medical School, Nicotine Dependence Center, Primary Care Internal Medicine Mayo Clinic
Lunch provided. For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
BMT Program Conference
Monday, May 11, 2009, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 MCRB
Vitamin D and BMT: time for translational research
Kim Robien, Ph.D., R.D., C.S.O., F.A.D.A., Assistant Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Pre-applications (required) due: June 1, 2009, 7 p.m. central time
Full applications due: July 31, 2009, 7 p.m. central time
Susan G. Komen for the Cure announces the upcoming release of the Investigator Initiated and Career Catalyst research grants for the 2009-2010 Research Program. Requests for Applications (RFA) will be available at www.komen.org/grants or www.komengrantsaccess.org.
Investigator-Initiated Research Grants provide up to $600,000 over three years to stimulate exploration of new ideas and novel approaches in breast cancer research and clinical practice that will lead to reductions in breast cancer incidence and mortality within the next decade. Special emphasis will be given to studies seeking to understand the basis for difference in breast cancer outcomes and translating research discoveries into clinical and public health practice to eliminate breast cancer disparities.
Career Catalyst Research Grants provide unique opportunities for scientists in the early stages of their career to achieve research independence with an independent award of up to $450,000 over three years. Career Catalyst Research investigators lead a research project addressing an important question in breast cancer research and complete a self-defined career development plan with support from a mentor committee.
Career Catalyst in Disparities Research awards provide a unique opportunity for scientists in the early stages of their career to achieve research independence. This award provides up to $450,000 over 3 years for research exploring the basis for differences in breast cancer outcomes and the translation of this research into clinical and public health practice interventions.
HealthPartners Research Foundation Pilot Funding Opportunity
Masonic Cancer Center faculty are eligible to apply for pilot money through the HealthPartners Research Foundation for research that involves collaboration with HealthPartners investigators and the HealthPartners population. Deadlines are recurring throughout the year. For more details, visit the HealthPartners Research Foundation Web site. Questions can be directed to DeAnn Lazovich (lazov001@umn.edu) or Lila Rutten (lila.rutten@HealthPartners.com).
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.
Employment Opportunities
Postdoctoral Associate
A Postdoctoral Associate position is available immediately to study chemical and biological mechanisms of carcinogenesis by tobacco-specific nitrosamines. Experience in organic synthesis and analytical organic chemistry is required, and experience in proteomics is preferred. 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: 160779
Principal Investigator: Stephen Hecht, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Associate
A Postdoctoral Associate position is available to study the regulation and function of the forkhead transcription factor FOXO1, which functions as a tumor suppressor in regulating various biological processes including apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, DNA damage repair and oxidative stress detoxification. Qualified applicants must have a PhD, MD/PhD or equivalent. A strong background in molecular biology and biochemistry, especially protein purification, is essential. We are seeking candidates who are self-motivated and career-oriented to join a highly interactive research team. Qualified applicants should send a statement of interest, curriculum vitae and contact information for three references online through the employment system. See requisition number: 160778
Principal Investigator: Haojie Huang, Ph.D.
For more information about these positions and additional opportunities visit the Employment Opportunities Web page.