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February 15, 2019
MEMBER/CENTER HIGHLIGHTS
Matsuyama Leads Team Discovery of Intrinsic Clock of Human Blood Cells
Blood cells could hold the key to aging, according to new research out of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. In a study published in 
Aging Cell, researchers found human blood cells have an intrinsic clock that remains steady even after transplant. The researchers say the clock could control human aging and may underlie blood cancers.

Shigemi Matsuyama, DVM, PhD, cell biologist and associate professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and member of the Molecular Oncology Program of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, led an international team of researchers in studying the clock. The team measured cellular age in blood cells transplanted from healthy donors to leukemia patients, focusing on donor-recipient pairs of very different ages.

"This study is related to the fountain of youth," Matsuyama said. "We found young blood cells stay young in older people. There was no accelerated aging of young blood cells in an older human body." more>
Core Utilization Pilot Award Recipients
Intended to support initial stages of new research projects, with a special emphasis on innovative, CTSC logo interdisciplinary and collaborative projects, the CTSC Core Utilization Pilot Awards advance research projects to the point at which they can attract external funding and/or peer-reviewed publications.  Proposals for the awards are accepted on a rolling basis. 

Congratulations to all recipients of Core Utilization Pilot Awards! We look forward to your discoveries. Below is a list of cancer-focused projects awarded to Case CCC members for December 2018. 

Ronald Conlon, PhD
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
"Determining the Number of Cells Which Need to Be Gene-edited to Reverse CF Lung Disease"

Masahiro Hitomi, MD, PhD
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
"Transcriptome Analysis of Therapeutic Resistant Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cell Progeny  Generated through Asymmetric Cell Division"

Emina Huang, MD, MBA
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
"Deconvoluting Colon Cancer Co-Cultures with Single Cell RNA-seq"

Justin Lathia, PhD
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
"Simultaneous Epitope and Transcriptome Analysis of Glioblastoma Immune Populations"

Lalitha Nayak, MD
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
"Role of Myeloid KLF2 in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma"

David Wald, MD, PhD
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
"Identification of Small Molecule Activators of NK Cells"
Wanted: Hematology Oncology Post-Doc Researcher
Evi Stavrou's lab at CWRU is looking to fill a key post-doc position, with the candidate being responsible for planning and executing experiments in close collaboration with the PI. The post-doc will prepare manuscripts and contribute preliminary data, background and significance and experimental design for grant proposals. The work focuses on the study of the contribution of coagulation Factor XII in sterile inflammation and venous thrombosis. Using a translational approach, the lab is currently working on the targeted delivery of inhibitors, exclusively targeting neutrophils, to promote wound healing and decrease venous thrombosis. more>
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Cancer Center Seminar Series: "Targeted Therapies for Leukemia"
Feb 15, 12p | WRB Auditorium

Join us today at noon in the WRB auditorium for the
Olof Pearson Lecture featuring guest speaker John C. Byrd, MD . Dr. Byrd is  Distinguished University Professor,  D. Warren Brown Chair of Leukemia Research and S enior Adviser for Cancer Experimental Therapeutics at  The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. His research focuses predominately on the biology and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and drug development in myeloid malignancies. These efforts include detailed pre-clinical and clinical studies of immune and targeted therapies as well as application of genomic and biochemical features to predict response to treatment. 


The Seminar Series  will  be
available to view via live stream. While we highly encourage you to attend in person to interact with our speakers and receive CME credit, we understand that may not always be possible. Presentations will not be recorded for later viewing, but you may watch the seminar in real time and ask questions via chat.  Watch live at noon>
Reserve Your Spot for the 3rd Annual Cancer Disparities Symposium
Mar 1, 2019 | Tinkham Veale University Center

The Office of Cancer Disparities Research at the  Case Comprehensive Cancer Center   invites you to join the national movement of cancer disparities research, collaboration and programming at the 3rd Annual Cancer Disparities Symposium on March 1, 2019. 

Registration
Registration includes access to all symposium sessions, materials, breakfast, lunch, refreshments during breaks and free covered parking.  Reserve your spot today!

Disparities Banner 2019-final

Why you should attend:
  • Network with national thought leaders
  • Learn about cancer disparities research efforts and and funding opportunities
  • Develop academic-community partnerships
Plenary Address
Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, MD , Director, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), will discuss cancer disparities research trends and funding opportunities. 
 
Distinguished Scientist Keynote
Rick Kittles, PhD, Associate Director of Health Equities at City of Hope, will give a research-focused presentation on cancer disparities research. 

Continuing Research Education Credits (CREC)
Attendees are eligible to receive six (6) continuing research education credits.

NEW! Continuing Education Contact Hours in Health Education (CECH)
Attendees are eligible to receive six (6) advanced-level CECH credits.
Genomic Medicine Institute International PTEN Symposium
Apr 8, 12p | Intercontinental Hotel & Bank of America Conference Center, Cleveland, OH

Chair of the Cleveland Clinic Genomic Medicine Institute and medical director of the PTEN/Cowden Multidisciplinary Clinic, Charis Eng, MD, PhD invites you to attend GMI's International PTEN Symposium: From Patient-Centered Research to Clinical Care on Monday, April 8, 2019 at the InterContinental Hotel and Conference Center in Cleveland.

Additional information regarding registration and a full agenda will be forthcoming. Through the generous support of exhibitors, the symposium is offered free of charge. This activity is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™. Due to regulations, there is a registration fee for non-CCF providers for CME credits. Contact Nicole Brey, Project Manager, with questions.

Save t he Date for the Cancer Center Scientific Series: Research Innovation Fund
Wednesday, May 1 8:30a | WRB Auditorium

Mark your calendar for the Cancer Center 
Scientific Series featuring work supported by the Research Innovation Fund on Wednesday, May 1 from 8:30-10:30 am in the WRB Auditorium. Presentation details to follow soon.
CANCER CENTER PROFILE: STAFF
James S. Hale, PhD, Assistant Director of Research Programs

The Case CCC administration continues to grow as we welcomed James S. Hale, PhD as Assistant Director of Research Programs to the team earlier this month. If you haven't met yet, you can find him on the 2nd floor of the WRB!

In his role, James will work closely with
Dr. Gerson and Scientific Program Leaders to foster collaboration as well as identify and develop additional funding opportunities, serving as a subject matter expert on scientific and technical grant writing.

James obtained his PhD from Cleveland State University where he researched the mechanisms of angiogenic modulation in melanoma and carcinoma. He joins us from the Cleveland Clinic where he served as a post-doctoral research fellow. During his fellowship, he delved into the complex interplay between cancer stem cells and the microenvironment, primarily in the context of glioblastoma and triple-negative breast cancer.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
New York Stem Cell Foundation Stem Cell Investigator Awards
Deadline: Feb 20, 2019

NYSCF is soliciting applications from early career investigators for Innovator Awards to be used for exploring the basic biology and translational potential of stem cells. The goal of this initiative is to foster bold and innovative scientists with the potential to transform the field of stem cell research, and advance understanding and use of stem cells in the development of treatments for human disease. In addition to providing funding, NYSCF partners with investigators to advance and translate their research.

The award provides $1.5M USD over 5 years and is open to researchers based at both national and international accredited academic and nonprofit research institutions. more>
Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation-AACR Grant
Deadline: March 19, 2019

The Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation-AACRAACR logo Grant represents a joint effort to promote and support innovative cancer research. This grant is available to independent junior and senior investigators to develop and study new ideas and innovative approaches that have direct application and relevance to neuroendocrine tumors. Proposed research may be in any discipline of basic, translational, or clinical cancer research. The grant provides $250,000 over two years for expenses related to the research project. more>
IN THE NEWS
For millennials, cancers fueled by obesity are on rise, study says
CNN - Feb 4, 2019
"We know in people that obesity is associated with an increase in cancer and a worse prognosis for patients who have cancer," said Nathan A. Berger, MD, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Protein-targeting vaccine extends survival in glioblastoma
HemOnc Today - Feb 8, 2019
A vaccine that targets the protein survivin appeared safe and extended survival among patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, according to results from a phase 2 study presented at Society for Neuro-Oncology Annual Meeting. Manmeet S. Ahluwalia, MD, associate director and head of operations at Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center at Cleveland Clinic, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center spoke with HemOnc Today about the study and potential implications of the results. Ahluwalia is a member of the Case CCC's Developmental Therapeutics Program.
NIH BULLETIN - Notices and Funding Opportunities
Notices
Notice of Availability of Funds for Revision Applications for Research Centers with a Focus in Chronic Disease and the Reduction of Health Disparities (P50, P30, U54)

Notice of Extension of the Expiration Date for PA-16-141 "Development of Animal Models and Related Biological Materials for Research (R21)"

Notice for the All of Us Research Program Communications and Marketing Partners Funding Opportunity and Informational Webinar

Notice for the All of Us Research Program Engagement and Retention Innovators Funding Opportunity and Informational Webinar

Program Announcements
Initiative to Maximize Research Education in Genomics: Courses (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)(PAR-19-185)
IN THIS ISSUE
EVENTSevents
Fri, Feb 15
Taussig Cancer Institute Grand Rounds
8a CA5-120

UH Neurology Grand Rounds
Chirag Patel, MD, PhD
Stanford University
"New Mechanism of Tumor Treating Fields in Glioblastoma"
8a Kulas Auditorium

Cancer Center Seminar Series: Olof Pearson Guest Speaker
John C. Byrd, MD
Distinguished University Professor
D. Warren Brown Chair of Leukemia Research
Senior Adviser for Cancer Experimental Therapeutics
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
"Targeted Therapies for Leukemia"
12p WRB Auditorium
Mon, Feb 18
Genomic Medicine Institute
Stetson Thacker
Eng Lab
"Constitutional PTEN Mutation Alters Alternative Splicing in the Brain, Contributing to an Autism Phenotype"

Iris Smith, PhD
Eng Lab
"Conformational Dynamics and Allosteric Regulation Landscape of Germline PTEN Mutations Associated with Autism and Cancer"
12p NE1-205

Cancer Center Research Chalk Talk
David Wald
1p WRB 3-136

WRB Faculty Meeting with Stan Gerson
3:30p WRB
Tues, Feb 19
Cancer Drug Discovery and Resistance
Shideng Bao, PhD
Assistant Professor, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Cleveland Clinic
3p WRB 1422D
Thurs, Feb 21
Developmental Therapeutics Journal Club
9a N E 6-218

Molecular Biology and Microbiology Seminar
Zach Troyer
Tilton Lab
1p SOM W203
Fri, Feb 22
Taussig Cancer Institute Grand Rounds
8a CA5-120

Cancer Center Seminar Series
H. Charles Manning, PhD
Director, Vanderbilt Center for Molecular Probes
Professor, Radiology, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Neurosurgery, and Chemical and Physical Biology
Vanderbilt Ingram Professor of Cancer Research
VU Institute of Imaging Science
"PET Tracers to Advance Precision Cancer Medicine"
12p WRB Auditorium
Tues, Feb 26
CWRU SOM Staff Toolkit Session
Wellness Initiatives
12p BRB 105

Cancer Imaging Monthly Meeting
1:30p WRB 1-422D
Thurs, Feb 28
Developmental Therapeutics Journal Club
9a N E 6-218

Molecular Biology and Microbiology Seminar
Brady-Kalnay Lab
1p SOM W203
Fri, Mar 1
3rd Annual Cancer Disparities Symposium
Details
7:30a-4p Tinkham Veale University Center, CWRU

Taussig Cancer Institute Grand Rounds
8a CA5-120
ADDITIONAL UPCOMING SYMPOSIUMS & EVENTS
prev-funding
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED OPPORTUNITIES

Deadline: Open

Deadline: Open

Deadline: Open
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center