January 2017
Table of Contents
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Shared Resource Spotlight
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Lipidomics/
Metabolomics Core
The VCU Lipidomics/ Metabolomics Shared Resource (VLMC) provides cost effective and highly quantitative lipid and small metabolite analyses for Massey members. Additionally, the facility staff offers consultative services for experimental design and data interpretation, education to certify end-users in the use of the equipment, operator-assisted analysis and instrument maintenance. Located on the 2nd floor of Sanger Hall in rooms 2-012 and 2-006, the VLMC is built around four tandem triple quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometers, two high-end AB SCIEX 4000 QTRAPs, an AB SCIEX 5500 QTRAP and an AB SCIEX 6500 QTRAP.
For more information, contact Charles Chalfant, Ph.D., VLMC scientific and executive director; Dayanjan Shanaka Wijesinghe, Ph.D., VLMC technical director; Jeremy Allegood, Ph.D., VLMC operational director, or visit the Massey website.
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Leaders' Update
A message from Devanand Sarkar, associate director for education and training
I am honored to serve as Massey's first associate director for education and training.
This message continues with more about:
-The new role of associate director for education and training at Massey
-Massey's current career development efforts and plans for advancing this work
-Opportunities for researchers to participate in mentoring, teaching and training activities
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Research Highlights
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Clinical trial tests novel combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer treatment
A phase 1 clinical trial developed at Massey and led by Andrew Poklepovic is testing a combination of targeted therapy with standard chemotherapy and radiation given prior to surgery in patients with non-metastatic pancreatic cancer. The primary objective of this trial is to determine the appropriate dosage of the drugs in combination with the radiation therapy schedule. The study will also evaluate the percentage of patients who are able to undergo surgery following neoadjuvant therapy, and it will examine cellular biomarkers in tumor samples from before and after treatment. In addition, the trial will analyze progression-free survival and overall survival of participants.
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Center News
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New patient-centered program raises the bar for pancreatic cancer care
Massey recently opened its Pancreas and Biliary Neoplasm Program. Operating a clinic located at VCU Health Stony Point, the program is the first of its kind in the Richmond area, and it aims to reduce treatment delays and improve treatment outcomes through a multi-disciplinary, patient-centered approach. The new program brings together Massey experts in a variety of disciplines who subspecialize in pancreatic cancer to review each patient's case and suggest the best treatment plan. Patients see all the necessary specialists in one day at one location and are guided through their care by a nurse navigator.
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Member Showcase
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Sarkar named Massey's associate director for education and training
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Cancer Molecular Genetics member |
Devanand Sarkar was appointed as Massey's associate director for education and training. In this role, he will oversee and coordinate the cancer center's professional education and career development activities. Sarkar is the Harrison Foundation Distinguished Professor in Cancer Research at Massey, a member of Massey's Cancer Molecular Genetics research program, an associate professor in the Department of Human and Molecular Genetics at the VCU School of Medicine and associate scientific director, Cancer Therapeutics, at the VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine. He also co-directs the Cancer and Molecular Medicine Ph.D. program of the VCU Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Sarkar's research is focused on examining the molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis in order to develop targeted anti-cancer therapies.
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Researcher Recognition
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Bos awarded grant to develop treatment for metastatic cancer
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Cancer Cell Signaling and Cancer Molecular Genetics member
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Paula Bos was awarded a 2016 Metastatic Cancer Research Grant from METAvivor Research and Support Inc. to expand her research on brain metastasis. Using genetic models of a tumor microenvironment, her research team is trying to understand the reprogramming that occurs upon removal of the Treg cell compartment, which leads to regression of tumors and disseminated disease. The ultimate goal is that her discoveries will have the potential to benefit patients at advanced stages of metastatic disease.
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Upcoming Events
Cancer Research Seminars
Wednesday, February 1st: Graham A. Colditz, Ph.D., M.D., M.P.H., of the Institute for Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis, will lead a talk titled 'When reducing cancer risk in our population, let's not exacerbate disparities' in the Molecular Medicine Research Building.
Monthly Research Meetings
Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k
Massey is the official charitable partner of the
Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k
presented by Kroger on Saturday, April 1st. The 10k is many things: a pep rally, a block party, a gateway to fitness, one more chance for a cure. Together, let's raise money for Massey's research mission, celebrate your health and share our community pride! Join
Team Massey
and enjoy block after block of great local music and spirit groups.
For a full listing of events,
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Massey in the Media
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Top Cancer News
Annals of Internal Medicine
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Share with us your research, awards and accomplishments!
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Connect with us!
Join Massey's online communities.
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