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Researchers and Staff
May 12, 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 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.
A peek at the next seminar:
Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Genetic approaches to cancer gene discovery
Lara Collier, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Host: David Largaespada, Ph.D.
For a complete schedule and to watch recorded seminars, visit the Web site.
News
Members in the news
Dan Kaufman, M.D., Ph.D., Transplant Biology and Therapy Program, was quoted in news reports by WCCO Radio, FOX 9 News, KARE-TV, the Minnesota Independent and the Minnesota Daily about his research that proved the potency of tumor killing cells made from human embryonic stem cells. Read more.
Peter Lee, M.D., was quoted about melanoma and Melanoma Monday screening in the Minnesota Daily.
Researcher presents poster at American Association of Immunologists meeting
Chris Pennell, Ph.D., Immunology Program, presented a poster, "Interactive computer simulations for teaching tumor immunology," at the American Association of Immunologists meeting in Seattle on May 9. The poster represents collaboration between Pennell; Nels Dokken, a biology teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Bloomington, Minn.; and Crowley Davis Research, Inc. in Eagle, Idaho to develop two computer models for teaching about cancer. One model focuses on how the accumulation of mutations can lead to cancer. The other model shows how the immune system eliminates newly formed tumors unless they lose their immune recognition units. These "loss" variants can then escape immune-mediated destruction and cause cancer.
Kudos
Congratulations to Mariangellys Rodriguez, Potter lab, who won the 2009 Robert Hebbel Research Day Graduate Student Award given for the top poster presentation by a graduate student in the Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota. The topic of her poster was "Possible role of insulin-like growth factor I in breast cancer proliferation via the CYP1A1 epoxygenase pathway."
Gautam Jha, M.B.B.S., Potter lab, was invited to participate in the NCI supported 2009 ASCO/AACR Workshop on Methods in Clinical Cancer Research. This is a competitive workshop for successful applicants to write a clinical trial under supervision of workshop faculty.
Comparative Pathology Shared Resource: Pathology consultation is now by appointment
Gerry O'Sullivan, M.V.B., Ph.D., board certified veterinary pathologist, is available for consultation on projects (including study design and review of microscopic lesions and immunohistochemical stain results) by appointment in MCRB 560E. To schedule a specific time, please contact Dr. O'Sullivan (gos@umn.edu; 612-625-3254).
Shared Resources host 10th Annual Spring Poster Session and Symposium
The Spring Poster Session and Symposium Thursday, May 14, in the Masonic Cancer Research Building (MCRB) will highlight the research of students, staff, post-docs, and PIs, who have used the facilities and services provided by the Masonic Cancer Center’s Shared Resources. Oral presentations and recognition of award-winning posters will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in 450 MCRB. The Poster Session will be from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on floors 5-7 in MCRB. Light snacks will be provided.
The researchers selected to give oral presentations are:
- Andrea Daniel, Lange lab, "Progesterone receptor (PR) silent signaling: kinases mediate ligand-independent derepression of sumoylated PRs in breast cancer cells"
- Cindy Blair, Ross lab, "Obesity at different times of life and the risk of adult myeloid leukemia"
- Mingyao Wang, Hecht lab, "Clear differences in formaldehyde-DNA adduct levels in leukocytes of smokers and non-smokers"
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
If you are displaying a poster this year, it must be installed by noon today (Tuesday, May 12) to be considered for an award. Visit the Web site for a map of poster locations.
New Members
Aaron S. Kelly, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research
Program areas of focus: Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship
Area of scientific interest: Characterizing cardiometabolic risk factors in cancer survivors and evaluating novel treatment strategies for reducing risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in these individuals; ovarian cancer, and infectious diseases with oncogenic potential (HPV, HIV).
Shalini L. Kulasingam, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Epidemiology and Community Health
Program areas of focus: Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, Women's Cancer Research, Prevention and Etiology
Clinical focus: Gynecologic cancers
Area of scientific interest: Cervical cancer; screening and vaccine effectiveness, decision modeling, cost-effectiveness analyses.
Kendall B. Wallace, Ph.D.
Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School-Duluth
Program area of focus: Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention
Area of scientific interest: The role of mitochondria in cancer cell biology
Jian-Ping Wang, Ph.D.
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Graduate Faculty member of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Department and Physics Department, Institute of Technology.
Program areas of focus: Prevention and Etiology, Tumor Biology and Progression, Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer
Area of scientific interest: 1) Low-cost, portable and easy-to-use magnetic sensing devices for real early cancer detection and prevention for future family-based and prevention-oriented healthcare; 2) Biomarkers detection, identification and screening; 3) Multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles for cancer imaging and therapy; 4) Magnetic drug delivery system; 5) Magnetic hyperthermia
Education and Events
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.
Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, May 13, 2009. 12-1 p.m., 114 LHI (KE)
Mark Stenglein, Harris lab, will present "Transcriptome sequencing to detect gene fusions in cancer." Maher et al. Nature 2009;458:97-101.
This is the last meeting of the Cancer Biology Journal Club for the academic year. Meetings will resume in the fall semester. For more information contact Sonja Nodland (john4368@umn.edu) or Rachel Bergerson (sapl0005@umn.edu).
Spring Poster Session and Symposium
Thursday, May 14, 2009
1-2:30 p.m. oral presentations and awards; 2:30-4 p.m. poster session
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.
Visit the Web site for more information.
University of Minnesota and Veteran Administration Medical Center Seminar
Monday May 18, 2009, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Room 3B-108, Veteran's Administration Medical Center, One Veteran's Drive, Minneapolis
American College of Surgeons Oncology Group - A new paradigm for
collaborative research
Peter Pisters, M.D., Professor of Surgical Oncology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 7-8:30 a.m., PWB 11-157, University of Minnesota
Integration of surgery and molecular therapy for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Peter Pisters, M.D., Professor of Surgical Oncology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Solving Basic and Clinical Research Challenges in Cancer and Beyond
The 2009 caBIG® Annual Meeting
July 20-22, 2009, Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, DC
Registration is free and open to the public.
Research to develop new methods for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer requires tools and technology that connect different types of data, analyze vast amounts of information and enable collaborative research. caBIG® tools and technologies support all aspects of basic and clinical research, connecting data, individuals, and institutions and speeding the translation of discovery to delivery.
The 2009 caBIG® Annual Meeting will feature:
- Resources to enhance capabilities in the areas of clinical trials management, in vivo imaging, molecular analysis, biospecimen banking and pathology, and data-sharing and security
- Case studies and best practices from the cancer community
- Tips on implementing and customizing caBIG® tools and infrastructure, or adapting existing tools and systems to achieve caBIG® compatibility, to solve challenges at your organization
- Descriptions of caBIG®-enabled translational research projects in cancer and beyond
- Opportunities for future collaborations and partnerships
For more information and to register, visit: https://cabig.nci.nih.gov/2009AnnualMeeting
caBIG® (cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid®) was launched by the National Cancer Institute to remove obstacles along the continuum of translational research to speed the development and delivery of new approaches to detect, diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer. caBIG® tools, infrastructure, standards, and policies are currently in use across the cancer and biomedical communities—including at 50 NCI-designated Cancer Centers and 16 sites in the National Community Cancer Centers Program.
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 Epidemiology Interest Group Seminar
Friday, May 15, 2009, 11L30 a.m.-1 p.m., 4-150 Moos Tower
Genomic technologies at the University of Minnesota for cancer epidemiology
Kenneth B. Beckman, Ph.D., Director, Biomedical Genomics Center, University of Minnesota
Please RSVP to Logan Spector by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, to reserve a lunch.
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
BMT Program Conference
Monday, May 18, 2009, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 MCRB
Platelet transfusion issues in stem cell transplantation: Cases for discussion
Nicole Dodge Zantek, M.D., Ph.D., Transfusion Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota
and
Robert J. Bowman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Co-director, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Transfusion Medicine
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
Correction: Last week's Funding News and Opportunities announcement about pilot funding opportunities from the Health Partner Research Foundation was in error. There are currently no funding opportunities available.
Non-Federal:
New Approaches for Developing Tools for Non-Invasive or Minimally-Invasive Monitoring of Pediatric and Adult Gliomas
Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative
Application Receipt Date: June 15, 2009
Funding: One year, $100,000 direct costs
Over the past year, the Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative (BTFC) convened a series of workshops evaluating the brain tumor research landscape with the aim of identifying research questions that present challenges to the efficient design and development of new therapeutic interventions. BTFC seeks to fund research that overcomes such obstacles and contributes towards progress against adult and pediatric glioma. These conversations have resulted in BTFC's decision to invest in the development of new tools and approaches that would lead to the non-invasive (or minimally-invasive) determination of tumor responsiveness to experimental interventions in clinical trials and the treatment of brain tumors in patients.
Federal:
Community Clinical Oncology Program (U10)
(RFA-CA-09-022)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): July 08, 2009
Funding:
This funding opportunity announcement solicits applications from institutions/organizations that propose to contribute to the mission of the NCI-supported Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) Network, which was established in 1983 to develop and conduct state-of-the-art cancer prevention, control, and treatment clinical trials with significant involvement of community oncologists and populations they serve. The CCOP Network mission includes: (1) accelerating development of interventions to prevent and treat cancer and its symptoms by increasing accrual to trials; (2) fostering quality care in the community through adoption of results from clinical trials; and (3) increasing the involvement of minority and underserved patient/participant populations in cancer clinical trials and associated research.
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.