Congratulations to Suhaila Selamat on the birth of her daughter on Friday!

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Emma Simpson
5 years ago
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Annual conferences have begun again. I just want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and good luck with your grants and applications.

1 Notes from the Director s Chair: Fall is here. The leaves are changing colour. The days are getting shorter. The Bombers season is almost over (the pain will end soon) and the Jets are just beginning their season (playoff bound?). We are still in the middle of grant writing season with large number of grant deadlines (see below). Annual conferences have begun again. I just want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and good luck with your grants and applications. Congratulations to Suhaila Selamat on the birth of her daughter on Friday! The 2013 MICB Annual Retreat was held on Sept. 20th-22nd at the Victoria Inn and Convention Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. This year s theme was Platforms. Dr. Susan Newbigging, Director, Pathology Core, Centre for Modeling Human Disease at The Toronto Centre for Phenogenomics gave a talk about the type of experiments they can do with animal models. We also welcomed Dr. Mike Jackson and Dr. Christine Zhang from the U of M Small Animal and Material Imaging and the Flow Cytometry Core Facilities on the research applications of their respective facilities. Several speakers from MICB spoke about their research and how they used technology in their experiments. This retreat was the first time we were in Brandon; both the weather and city were great. Several people toured the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre. A radiation nurse was our guide and the Centre was a very warm and friendly place. The hotel rooms were very nice and the time to meet with colleagues was great. It was generally a good place for a retreat and we will return in the future. On a personal note, several families came to Brandon and took advantage of the pool and food. My family especially loved the pool and spent a lot of time there. The rooms were great but my daughter found out the hard way that the spray in the shower can be cold when it is first turned on and she gave a scream that people down hall probably heard! I would also like to thank Don and Debbie for hosting a wine and cheese in the evening. It was a lot of fun.

2 Congratulations to Laura Thompson from the McManus lab who received the most votes for Best presentation at the retreat. Laura received tickets to the upcoming Bombers game. There s still time to provide suggestions on next year s retreat location and theme. Your suggestions will be compiled and discussed with the Senior Scientists during our next monthly meeting. Dr. Asish Ghosh will be presenting on Wednesday, October 2nd at 2pm in the Lecture Theatre. The title of his talk is Microvesicle Mediated Crosstalk in B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Implications in Disease Progression". I strongly encourage all trainees to attend. On October 3rd and 4th, the 9 th Annual National CLL Meeting will be held at the Inn at the Forks. The keynote address will be given by Dr. Nicholas Chiorazzi, Head, Karches Center for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, NY. Please contact Lynn Savage if you wish to attend this conference. The Inside Ride will be held on October 17 th. This stationary cycling challenge is raising money for CancerCare Manitoba Foundation and MICB s Dr. Issai Vanan will be participating. To sponsor Dr Vanan, click here, and search for him under the link Search for an Individual on the left hand side. Good luck Dr. Vanan! Cell Biology Club will start again on Oct. 21st with the first of three special guest lectures. Dr. Sachin Katyal, our newest Senior Scientist, will start Cell Biology Club with a lecture on DNA damage repair mechanisms in cancer. It is expected that all trainees will attend and participate in Cell Biology Club. It provides information on what research is done at MICB and allows for feedback on research projects. For more information, please consult with the MICB website and Amy Cisyk, the student rep. The annual Halloween party for pediatric patients is one of the highlights of our year as approximately 100 kids with cancer and their families wind their way through the CancerCare building collecting candy and toys. This year, the Halloween party will be on Oct. 31st. Time to think about what costumes you will wear for this special day for the kids; best costume will win the final pair of Bombers tickets! There is an envelope in the main office for cash donations to purchase goodies or to drop off any candy. Thanks for your generous assistance in making this a special day for our kids. For more information or to volunteer with decorating or making and distributing goody bags, please contact Eileen McMillan-Ward.

The Canadian Cancer Research Alliance Conference will be held November 3rd-6th, 2013. Congratulations to the ten trainees who received MICB travel awards and two trainees who received other awards.

3 The Canadian Cancer Research Alliance Conference will be held November 3rd-6th, Congratulations to the ten trainees who received MICB travel awards and two trainees who received other awards. I have included all the successful applicants in this in the event you need to pair up with a roommate. Brent Guppy Iris Gehrke Sara Beiggi Oumar Samassekou Amy Cisyk Laura Thompson Sumanta Chatterjee Alexandra Kuzyk Pratima Basak Eric Bouchard Dr. Mai will be hosting a workshop on Microscopy, Optics and Imaging from November 25th-29th. University of Manitoba students can receive credit for this course Basic Molecular Imaging (IMED7300). Early bird registration deadline is September 30th. Topics include: -Basic Microscopy, Live Cell Imaging, Digital Imaging and Documentation, Automated Sample Analysis -Fluorescent Dyes, Probes, Instruments, Platforms and Applications -Fluorescent in situ Hybridization, Different Types and Applications -Introduction to Human Cytogenetics -FISH experiments -Imaging of Samples, Data Analysis and Discussion -Journal Clubs Dr. Mai received $55,000 from the Manitoba Ride for Dad to support her research program on characterizing circulating tumour cells in prostate cancer patients. The Ride for Dad organizes an annual motorcycle rally to raise money to help men with prostate cancer. Congratulations to Dr. Mai in getting this funding!

4 Information that might be interesting only to a Director: In 2012, we had approximately 6 million dollars in operating grants which is similar from last year. This does not mean that nothing has changed. Indeed, we lost several grants that were replaced by others. We project that 2013 will be better as we turn a corner on our research activities. Publications: Valproic acid enhances fludarabine-induced apoptosis mediated by ROS and involving decreased AKT and ATM activation in B-cell-lymphoid neoplastic cells. Yoon JY, Ishdorj G, Graham BA, Johnston JB, Gibson SB. Apoptosis Sep 22. [Epub ahead of print] Adhesion of ZAP-70+ chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells to stromal cells is enhanced by cytokines and blocked by inhibitors of the PI3-kinase pathway. Lafarge ST, Johnston JB, Gibson SB, Marshall AJ. Leuk Res Aug 9. doi:pii: S (13) /j.leukres [Epub ahead of print] Increased risk of second malignancies in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients as compared with follicular lymphoma patients: a Canadian population-based study. Beiggi S, Johnston JB, Seftel MD, Pitz MW, Kumar R, Banerji V, J Griffith E, Gibson SB. Br J Cancer Sep 3;109(5): doi: /bjc Epub 2013 Jul 16. Investigating the role of reactive oxygen species in regulating autophagy. Gibson SB. Methods Enzymol. 2013;528: doi: /B Steroid receptor RNA activator protein (SRAP) expression as a prognostic factor in ER+ human breast tumors. Yan Y, Penner CC, Skliris GP, Cooper C, Nugent Z, Blanchard A, Hamedani MK, Wang X, Myal Y, Murphy LC, Leygue E. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol Oct;139(10): doi: /s Epub 2013 Aug 2. Singlet and triplet excited-state dynamics study of the keto and enol tautomers of Cytosine. Mai S, Marquetand P, Richter M, González-Vázquez J, González L. Chemphyschem Sep 16;14(13): doi: /cphc Epub 2013 Jul 25. Synthetic Lethal Targeting of Superoxide Dismutase 1 Selectively Kills RAD54B-deficient Colorectal Cancer Cells. Sajesh BV, Bailey M, Lichtensztejn Z, Hieter P, McManus KJ. Genetics Sep 3. [Epub ahead of print] Is iron deficiency in the absence of anemia associated with fatigue in inflammatory bowel disease? Goldenberg BA, Graff LA, Clara I, Zarychanski R, Walker JR, Carr R, Rogala L, Miller N, Bernstein CN. Am J Gastroenterol Sep;108(9): doi: /ajg

5 Upcoming Grants and Fellowships Oct 1 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Awards for Medical Sciences Leukemia & Cancer Research Institute Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowships Program in Tumour Immunology CCSRI Innovation grant CIHR Clinician-Scientist Salary Award (Phase 1 and Phase 2) CIHR NSERC Collaborative Health Research Project CIHR Institute of Cancer Research Publication prize CIHR Catalyst grant: Secondary analysis of Neuroimaging databases CIHR Age+ Prize CIHR Institute of Gender & Health Award of excellence in Knowledge Translation CIHR Banting-Best Doctoral Award CIHR Foreign study doctoral award CIHR Knowledge Synthesis Diagnostic Services of Manitoba Operating grant Gairdner Foundation Wightman Award Gairdner Global Health Award Health Minds Canada Lymphoma Society Quality of Life Research Funding Initiative Scholar in Clinical Research Scholar

6 Fellow Special Fellow in Clinical Research Pfizer Canada Geriatric Anxiety Award Pfizer Canada Major Depressive Disorder Research Award Life sciences research foundation fellowship UofM BSc Med and MedII call for abstracts MICH Travel grants FAAF Google Faculty Research Award Oct 2 US DoD Prostate cancer research idea development CIHR Mental health network (EOI was due April 2013) FAAF CIHR catalyst grant in e-health innovations Oct 3 FAAF CIHR Initiative in Substance missue FAAF CIHR Planning grant FAAF CIHR Dissemination Event FAAF Kidney Foundation of Canada Allied Health Research Grant FAAF Kidney Foundation of Canada Biomedical Research Grant Oct 4 Genome Canada Applications Partnership Program full application due FAAF Prostate Cancer Canada Rising Star FAAF Prostate Cancer Canada Team grant

7 Oct 7 Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario - Registration deadline Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario Seed Funding grant Registration deadline CFI (LEF/NIF) VP feedback returned to departments Oct 8 US DoD breast cancer research program breakthrough award pre-application deadline Oct 9 LOI American Brain tumour association discovery grant LOI - Thrasher Research Fund pediatric medical research early career award US DoD Prostate Cancer Research Program Biomarker Development award US DoD Prostate Cancer research program clinical consortium award US DoD Prostate cancer synergistic idea development award US DoD Prostate cancer research program clinical transition award US DoD Prostate cancer research program population science impact award US DoD Prostate cancer research program pathology resource network US DoD Prostate cancer research program transformative impact award Oct 10 - CIHR Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement Oct 11 Bear Necessities Operating grant for pediatric brain cancer LOI Simon Foundation Autism Research Initiative LOI Simon Foundation Autism Research Pilot award Oct 14 Registration deadline Canadian Cancer Research Conference Oct 15

8 CIHR Dissemination Event CIHR Health Challenges in Chronic Inflammation (LOI due Dec 2012) CIHR Development grant in substance missues CIHR e-health innovations catalyst grant Google Faculty Research award Kidney Foundation of Canada Allied Health Research Grant Kidney foundation Canada biomedical research grant NSERC Graham Bell Canada Scholarship NSERC Postdoctoral fellowship Prostate Cancer Canada graduate studentship Prostate cancer Canada rising star award University research grants program (new staff) Oct 16 US DoD Lung cancer career development award US DoD Lung cancer concept award US DoD Lung cancer clinical exploration award Oct 18 CIHR Pathways to health equity for aboriginal people FAAF CIHR Partnerships for health systems improvement FAAF Burroughs Wellcome Fund Pathogenesis of infectious disease Oct 22 FAAF Canadian Cancer Society quality of life Oct 23

9 FAAF Alliance for Cancer gene therapy young investigator award CIHR Banting Post doctoral fellowship Oct 24 FAAF Heath & Stroke Foundation of Canada research fellowship Oct 25 NSERC Research Tools and Instruments grant Oct 29 FAAF Alzheimer s Society of Canada operating grant Oct 30 FAAF Alzheimer s Society of Canada Young Investigator s grant Oct 31 UofM travel and conference sponsorship program Nov 1 Brain Canada platform support grant deadline Burroughs Wellcome Fund investigators in the pathogenesis of infectious disease Cancer research institute clinic and lab integration program Canadian Cancer Society quality of life Canadian Child Health clinician scientist program doctoral award post doctoral fellowship career development award Canadian Federation of University Women scholarship and fellowship deadline CIHR Network catalyst grant CIHR Partnership for health systems improvement Heart & Stroke Foundation Fellowship NSERC Discovery Grant full application

10 MICH Travel grant FAAF CIHR Fellowship EOI Prostate cancer Canada team grant Nov 4 FAAF Canadian Hemophilia Society Dream of a cure research program FAAF CBCF CIHR Breast cancer in young women research program MITAC Elevate Fellowship LOI

11 And now for something completely different (this doesn t apply to Cell Biology Club, we want questions!)

MICB is supported by. Notes from the Director s Chair:

MICB is supported by. Notes from the Director s Chair: Notes from the Director s Chair: A new academic year is soon upon us. It seemed like summer when by really fast and now Medical students, undergraduate students and graduate students will start classes