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Researchers and Staff
November 10, 2009
Update is available on the Web at www.cancer.umn.edu/news/ccupdate/index.html.
Update is an official newsletter of the Masonic Cancer Center for faculty, members, staff, colleagues, and friends. The newsletter is e-mailed biweekly on Tuesdays. Please submit items for the next issue by Friday, November 20 to Gina Kennedy, kenne069@umn.edu.
In This Issue
Funding News and Opportunities
Cancer Center Seminar
Today's seminar:
Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 Masonic Cancer Research Building
Cancer survivors: A high-risk population in need of lifestyle interventions: What interventions are needed and how do we deliver them?
Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Ph.D., R.D., Professor of Behavioral Science, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Hosts: DeAnn Lazovich, Ph.D., and Beth Viring, Ph.D.
Next week’s seminar:
Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 Masonic Cancer Research Building
Immune cell inhibitory pathways: Prognostic markers and therapeutic targets to improve cancer treatment
Eugene D. Kwon, M.D., Mayo Clinic Departments of Urology and Immunology
Host: Bruce Blazar, M.D.
Cancer Center Seminar calendar and recorded seminars
News
Sen. Amy Klobuchar visits Masonic Cancer Center
Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited the Masonic Cancer Center October 31 to meet with scientists and tour the research building. The researchers talked with Klobuchar about breast cancer and other research at the cancer center. Klobuchar discussed cancer research support and initiatives in Washington, D.C.
Watch a slide show of Klobuchar’s visit.
Masonic Cancer Center members receive stimulus grants
A nearly $3 million grant to Selwyn Vickers, M.D., Masonic Cancer Center associate director for translational research, and chief of the University’s Department of Surgery, is among the latest grants received by cancer center members from the federal government’s stimulus program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Vickers’ project will focus on improving participation by minority populations in clinical trials for cancer and other diseases. Other cancer center members who have received stimulus grants include Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., Anne Joseph, M.D., Sharon Murphy, Ph.D., Jeffrey Miller, M.D., Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., Jian-Min Yuan, M.D., Jayanth Panyam, Ph.D., Julie Ross, Ph.D., David Largaespada, Ph.D., Alvin Beitz, Ph.D., Robert Cormier, Ph.D., Denis Clohisy, M.D., Chris Pennell, Ph.D., and Kola Okuyemi, M.D. Summaries of these researchers’ projects are provided on the Academic Health Center’s Stimulus Grant Web site. Additional cancer center members who received stimulus grants are included on a full list of stimulus grant projects provided on the site.
Members in the news
- Joseph Neglia, M.D., co-leader of Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship Research Program, was quoted in the November 1 Pioneer Press front page story, “Surviving cancer – and the cure.”
- Brian Van Ness, Ph.D., authored an article about genetics research and individualized treatment published in the November issue of Minnesota Health Care News.
- Todd Tuttle, M.D., was quoted in an article on chicagotribune.com about his research finding that more women diagnosed with cancer in one breast are choosing to undergo double mastectomy surgery.
Lange named co-leader of Women’s Cancer Research Program
Carol Lange, Ph.D., has been named co-leader of the Masonic Cancer Center’s Women’s Cancer Research Program. She succeeds cancer center director Douglas Yee, M.D., in this new role and shares leadership responsibilities for the program with Levi Downs, M.D. Lange also was recently promoted to professor and named the Tickle Family Land Grant Endowed Chair in Breast Cancer Research. Her laboratory research focuses on signal transduction in breast cancer, including the study of cross-talk between peptide growth factors and steroid hormone receptors in human breast cancer cells.
Tolar receives CCRF Butterfly Award
Jakub Tolar, M.D., Ph.D., received the 2009 Butterfly Award in the medical category from the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. The award recognizes ongoing commitment and dedication to the fight against childhood cancer. Tolar has made pivotal discoveries that will influence the design of future stem cell-based therapeutic clinical trials. The butterfly is Children’s Cancer Research Fund’s organizational symbol and represents the changes a child encounters while undergoing cancer treatment.
Subramanian awarded $600,000 for research of role of microRNA in development of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors
Subbaya (Subree) Subramanian, Ph.D., Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Research Program member and assistant professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, was awarded a new 3-year $600,000 grant from the Department of Defense Congressionally Mandated Medical Research Program. The grant will support his research of microRNA gene regulatory networks in peripheral nerve sheath tumors. The aims of Subramanian’s research are 1) to decipher the microRNA-mRNA associations and role in malignant transformation of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, and 2) to engineer microRNA deregulation in vivo in mice to examine their role in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Anindya Bagchi, Ph.D., and David Largaespada, Ph.D., will collaborate with Subramanian on this project.
Carlin named head of SPH Division of Biostatistics
Bradley S. Carlin, Ph.D., will become head of the School of Public Health’s Division of Biostatistics in May 2010. He is a member of the cancer center’s research programs for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, and for Prevention and Etiology. Read more.
Comparative Pathology Shared Resource welcomes Melissa Schutten
The Comparative Pathology Shared Resource is pleased to announce the addition of Melissa Schutten, D.V.M., Ph.D., who began her faculty appointment on November 6, 2009. Schutten received her veterinary and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin. She did specialty training in veterinary pathology at Colorado State University and at the University of Wisconsin, and is certified in anatomic pathology by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Her Ph.D. studies on pancreatic cancer were done at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research. Schutten will be available for consultation on studies, including histopathology evaluation of tissues submitted by users of the shared resource. She may be reached at 612 625 4256 (office phone) or by email at mschutte@umn.edu.
Masonic Cancer Center physician-researchers named Best Doctors
More than 20 physician-researchers affiliated with Masonic Cancer Center are on the list of Best Doctors in America for 2009-2010. Boston-based Best Doctors, Inc., conducts continuous peer-to-peer surveys of the medical profession to develop the Best Doctors database of 50,000 expert physicians. Only five percent of the doctors in the country are selected to become Best Doctors. Cancer center members on the list include:
- Blood and Marrow Transplant: Bruce Blazar, M.D.; Margaret MacMillan, M.D.; Paul Orchard, M.D.; Jakub Tolar, M.D.; Michael Verneris, M.D.; John Wagner, M.D.; and Daniel Weisdorf, M.D.
- Dermatology: Maria Hordinsky, M.D.
- Hematology & Oncology: Michael Burke, M.D.; Christopher Moertel, M.D.; Daniel Mulrooney, M.D.; Joseph Neglia, M.D.; and Brenda Weigel, M.D.
- Orthopedics: Denis Clohisy, M.D.
- Radiation Oncology: Kathryn Dusenbery, M.D.
- Surgery: Daniel Saltzman, M.D.
Masonic Cancer Center brings breast cancer awareness to Gopher football game
A Masonic Cancer Center team staffed a breast cancer information table in the stadium concourse during the October 31 Gopher football game. The game was dedicated to breast cancer awareness. See photos and read more.
Education and Events
Center for the Study of Impulsivity Seminar
Tuesday, November 10, 2009, noon, 717 Delaware St. S.E., Room 105A
Sheila Specker, M.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry will present “Cocaine/Stimulant Dependence and Impulsivity: A preliminary tale of behavior
and brain.”
See flyer for details (PDF)
Cancer Biology Research Club
Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 12-1 p.m., KE114 LHI
Investigating HTLV-1 & HIV-1 Gag Behavior in the Cytoplasm of Living Cells with Fluorescence Fluctuation Spectroscopy
Keir Fogarty, Ph.D., Cancer Biology Training Grant postdoctoral fellow, Mansky lab
Center for Drug Design Seminar
Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 3-125 Mayo
Gene Delivery of a pH Sensitive Molecular Switch Molecule in the Heart
Joseph Metzger, Ph.D., IBP Chair and Professor, Dept of Integrative Biology and Physiology
Light refreshments will be available.
BioMedical Genomics Center mini-conference
Sequenom Solutions for Translational Research
Thursday, November 12, 2009, 2-101 NHH
See flyer for details (PDF)
Speak Out to End Breast Cancer Workshop
Saturday, November 14, 2009, Hotel Sofitel, Bloomington
Douglas Yee, M.D., director, will be the keynote speaker at the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Speak Out to End Breast Cancer Workshop.
More information and registration.
2009 Minnesota Lymphoma Workshop
Saturday, November 14, 2009, Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Mall of America Hotel, Bloomington
Daniel Weisdorf, M.D., co-leader of the Transplant Biology and Therapy Research Program, and cancer center members Kim Robien, Ph.D., R.D., and Ericka Warlick, M.D., will speak respectively on Hodgkin lymphoma, nutrition, and managing side effects of treatment at the 2009 Minnesota Lymphoma Workshop for lymphoma patients, survivors, and their families. The workshop is sponsored by the Lymphoma Research Foundation.
More information and registration.
Environmental Health Toxicology Seminar
Monday, November 16, 2009, 3:35-4:25 p.m., Mayo Room 1155
Biomaterials Evaluation and Risk Assessment
Kelly P. Coleman, Ph.D., D.A.B.T., Principal Toxicologist, Biomaterials Department, Medtronic Physiological Research Laboratories
See seminar flyer (PDF)
Cancer Summit 2009: Partners in Progress
Tuesday, November 17, 2009, Hotel Sofitel, Bloomington
The Minnesota Cancer Alliance invites individuals from the cancer community to the sixth annual Cancer Summit 2009: Partners in Progress. Health care professionals, community outreach workers, advocates and survivors will come together for this working meeting to help take Alliance activities to the next level. Keynote speaker Jim Chase, Minnesota Community Measurement president, will provide an overview of cancer screening data, including how data can impact coalitions to take action. The day-long summit also will include: "My Colorectal Cancer Journey" survivor story from Ruth Edstrom, breakout and working sessions, Spirit of Collaboration Awards, and a reception.
More information and registration.
Mixed Methods Interest Group Discussion
Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 3:30-5 p.m., 6-194 Weaver-Densford Hall
All interested faculty and students are invited to participate in the newly established Mixed Methods Interdisciplinary Graduate Group. The Mixed Methods Interest Group is an informal, monthly discussion of issues related to the integration of qualitative and quantitative methods. For more information, contact Joe Gaugler, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Nursing, gaug0015@umn.edu, 612-626-2485.
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
TOCCS Seminar
Friday, November 13, 2009, noon-1 p.m., 450 Masonic Cancer Research Building
Systems Thinking About Appetite and Weight
Charles Billington, M.D., Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota
and Minneapolis VA Medical Center
Light lunch provided.
BMT Conference
Monday, November 16, 1:15-2:15 p.m., Room 450, Masonic Cancer Research Building
TBD
Monday, November 23, 1:15-2:15 p.m., Room 450, Masonic Cancer Research Building
TBD
Brain Tumor Program Data Club Meeting
Monday, November 16, 9-10 a.m., 450 MCRB
Society for Neuro Oncology Meeting Recap
Stacy Decker will present “CD44 Loss of Function in Spontaneous Murine Glioma Implicates CD44 in Tumor Maintenance” and Katherine Murphy will present “Immunotherapy of Malignant Brain Tumors Requires Antibody Response.” Both were oral presentations at this year’s Society for Neuro Oncology Meeting. John Ohlfest, Ph.D., and Christopher Moertel, M.D., will discuss highlights of current neuro-oncology research that they encountered at this year’s meeting.
Tumor Biology and Progression Program Meeting
Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 9:15-10:15 a.m., 11-207 Moos Tower
Ovarian cancer biomarkers: The search for a fundable project
Amy Skubitz, Ph.D., Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology
Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program Meeting
Thursday, November 19, 2009, 4-5 p.m., 3-110 Moos Tower
DNA repeat stability factorsidentification and biology
David Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
Visit the Professional Education Web page for complete program meeting schedules.
Funding News and Opportunities
Important News and Notices
Non-Competing Grant Awards under the Current Continuing Resolution
(NOT-OD-10-012)
National Institutes of Health
Funding Opportunity Announcements (non-NIH)
KWRIS Sarcoma Research Grant
The Karen Wyckoff Rein in Sarcoma Foundation
Application Receipt Date: December 11, 2009
Funding: typically ranges from $12,000 to $50,000American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grants
Deadline: November 16, 2009
Amount: Up to $30,000
These grants are 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. Applications may be obtained by calling 612-625-2912 or e-mailing morga336@umn.edu.CALGB Investigator Award
Cancer and Leukemia Group B
Application Receipt Date(s): January 15, 2009
Eligibility: Assistant Professor faculty with 1-3 years of a faculty appointment
Funding: $30,000 + 10% overhead costs for 1 yearCALGB Clinical Scholar Award
Cancer and Leukemia Group B
Application Receipt Date(s): January 15, 2009
Eligibility: Assistant Professor faculty with 4-6 years of a faculty appointment
Funding: $40,000 + 10% overhead costs per year for 2 yearsAACR-AstraZeneca Fellowship for Translational Lung Cancer Research
Deadline: December 7, 2009, noon, Eastern Time
The AACR-AstraZeneca Fellowship for Translational Lung Cancer Research is open to Postdoctoral and Clinical Research Fellows working at an academic, medical, or research institution who will be in the first 5 years of their postdoctoral training at the start of the grant term. Proposed research projects must relate directly to translational lung cancer research. One 2-year grant of $90,000 ($45,000 per year) will be awarded.
AACR Basic Cancer Research Fellowships
Deadline: December 7, 2009, noon, Eastern Time
The AACR Basic Cancer Research Fellowships are open to Postdoctoral and Clinical Research Fellows working at an academic, medical, or research institution who will be in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of their postdoctoral training at the start of the grant term. Proposed research projects may be in any area of basic cancer research. Three 1-year fellowships of $30,000-40,000 will be awarded.
AACR Judah Folkman Fellowship for Anti-Angiogenesis Research
Deadline: December 7, 2009, noon, Eastern Time
The AACR Judah Folkman Fellowship for Anti-Angiogenesis Research is open to Postdoctoral and Clinical Research Fellows with a medical degree or a combined M.D./Ph.D. working at an academic, medical, or research institution who will be in the first 5 years of their postdoctoral training at the start of the grant term. Proposed research projects are restricted to basic, clinical, translational or epidemiological projects that substantially advance the field of anti-angiogenesis research in cancer. One 2-year grant of $90,000 ($45,000 per year) will be awarded.
AACR Clinical and Translational Cancer Research Fellowships
Deadline: December 7, 2009, noon, Eastern Time.
The AACR Clinical and Translational Cancer Research Fellowships are open to Postdoctoral and Clinical Research Fellows working at an academic, medical, or research institution who will be in the first 5 years of their postdoctoral training at the start of the grant term. Proposed research projects may be in any area of clinical and/or translational cancer research. One 1-year fellowship of $30,000 will be awarded.
AACR Career Development Awards for Pediatric Cancer Research
Deadline: December 7, 2009, noon, Eastern Time.
The AACR Career Development Awards for Pediatric Cancer Research are open to junior faculty in their first full-time faculty appointment. Proposed research projects may be in any discipline of basic, clinical, translational, or epidemiological research with direct applicability and relevance to pediatric cancer. Two 2-year grants of $100,000 ($50,000 per year) for direct research expenses and salary support.
AACR-FNAB Career Development Award for Translational Cancer Research
Deadline: December 7, 2009, noon, Eastern Time.
The AACR-FNAB Career Development Award for Translational Cancer Research is open to junior faculty in their first full-time faculty appointment. Research projects are restricted to translational cancer research focused on any individualized therapeutic area. Proposed projects must have implications for individualized cancer treatment and must make use of human biopsies or samples, such as needle biopsies or circulating cancer cells. One 2-year grant of $100,000 ($50,000 per year) is available.
NIH Announcements:
Administrative Supplements for Disseminating Evidence-based Computer-tailored Cancer Control Interventions
(NOT-CA-10-003)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): January 15, 2010
Funding: $150,000 in total costs for 1 yearInnovative and Early-Stage Development of Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science (R21)
(RFA-CA-10-001)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): February 23, 2010; May 27, 2010; September 30, 2010
Funding: Standard R21 limits applyValidation and Advanced Development of Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science (R33)
(RFA-CA-10-002)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): February 23, 2010; May 27, 2010; September 30, 2010
Funding: Up to $300,000 in Direct Costs per year for 3 yearsApplication and Early Stage Development of Emerging Technologies in Cancer Research (R21)
(RFA-CA-10-003)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): February 23, 2010; May 27, 2010; September 30, 2010
Funding: Standard R21 limits applyValidation and Advanced Development of Emerging Technologies for Cancer Research (R33)
(RFA-CA-10-004)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): February 23, 2010; May 27, 2010; September 30, 2010
Funding: Up to $300,000 in Direct Costs per year for 3 yearsInnovative Technology Development for Cancer Research (R21)
(RFA-CA-10-005)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): February 23, 2010; May 27, 2010; September 30, 2010
Funding: Standard R21 limits applyEnabling Technologies in DNA Repair Research (R21)
(PAR-10-016)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): January 10, 2010
Funding: Standard R21 limits applyAccelerating the Pace of Drug Abuse Research Using Existing Epidemiology, Prevention, and Treatment Research Data (R01)
(PAR-10-018)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): Multiple dates, see announcement.
Funding: Standard R21 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.
Employment Opportunities
Postdoctoral Associate
A postdoctoral position is immediately available in the laboratory of Dr. Fekadu Kassie at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, to study aberrant gene promoter hypermethylation in cancer. The research will focus in two areas. The first area is studying the role of aberrant promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes as a biomarker for early detection of lung cancer. The second area involves modulation of aberrant methylation by chemopreventive agents in vitro cell culture models and in clinical studies. Research responsibilities will generally involve participation in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the research projects to study aberrant gene promoter hypermethylation in cancer. The appointee may participate in preparation and presentation of data to study investigators and author, co-author, and otherwise collaborate on reports, conference papers and publications. Postdoctoral training positions are normally limited to a maximum period of three years. Candidates are encouraged to submit a CV, a short description of career goal, and 2-3 recommendation letters. Principal Investigator: Dr. Fekadu Kassie. Please apply through the online employment system. See requisition number 163794.