INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Finding innovative ways to prevent human cancer

Today, we are confronted by environmental, societal, and global conditions affecting our health. This is a world with an alarming increase in cancer incidence in many countries. Such challenges cannot be solved one patient at a time. We have to find innovative ways to prevent human cancer. The Hormel Institute is a leading research institute making major contributions to the identification and characterization of novel targets and agents for the prevention or therapy of human cancer.
Today’s research will lead to tomorrow’s cures.

In friendship,

Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr. P.H.
Executive Director

RESEARCH

Institute researchers to present projects at national conference

Dr. Zigang Dong will join numerous other section leaders and researchers from The Hormel Institute this April in presenting their latest discoveries at an upcoming national conference in Washington. Institute scientists will present more than a dozen research posters covering work in various areas, including leukemia, skin, prostate, breast, colon and lung cancers, during the 104th annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. The national conference, which runs from April 6-10, is considered the premier forum for highlighting the best and latest findings in all major areas of cancer research in an effort to advance treatment and prevention of the disease. Among the many projects being displayed by Dr. Dong and his research team at the conference will be one on their work focusing on EGCE, a strong anticancer component found in green tea.

Section leader targets cancer, autoimmune diseases

Dr. Bing Li, leader of the Immunoregulation of Autoimmune Disease and Cancer research section at The Hormel Institute, continues to make progress on understanding the role of fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) in cancer development and autoimmune diseases. FABPs are a family of small, highly homologous intracellular lipid chaperones recognized as central regulators of metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Li and his research team have found that adipose FABP and epidermal FABP play important roles in different types of cancer – including breast, skin and colon cancers – as well as in autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. Li’s section is striving to understand how FABPs regulate cellular metabolism and intracellular signal transduction pathways in leukocytes. They also are trying to determine the mechanisms by which FABPs link metabolism and complex diseases, and identify specific inhibitors of FABPs for potential drug discovery.

NEWS

S.U.R.E. interns selected for 2013 summer program

Nine research sections at The Hormel Institute each will host a college intern as part of the annual Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (S.U.R.E.) internship program. The SURE program is one aspect of The Hormel Institute’s year-round educational outreach initiative to inform students and promote science. The Hormel Institute, among other efforts, also annually hosts all 6th-grade students from Austin Public Schools for a day of tours and science demos; works with high school biology students; serves as a leader of the University of Minnesota-Rochester’s Biomedical Informatics and Computational Biology (BICB) program; and provides doctoral and post-doctoral research training programs.

YOUR HEALTH

Healthy Recipe: Eat-All-You-Want Soup

This soup features so many vegetables, it really is eat-all-you-want! From cabbage to onions and peppers to tomatoes, all of these vegetables offer cancer-preventative benefits. To bring out extra flavor in the vegetables, feel free to sauté them in a tablespoon of olive oil before adding to the soup pot. And it is so delicious on a cold day.
Serves 15 (about 1 cup each).

All you need:

1 head cabbage, chopped

4 ribs celery, chopped

5 large onions, chopped

1 large green bell pepper, seed and chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 (14.5 oz) can stewed tomatoes

1 (1 oz) envelope onion soup mix

1 (46 oz) can vegetable juice

All you do:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large soup pot. Bring to a simmer; simmer 1 hour or until vegetables are tender.

Nutrition Facts: 60 calories, 0g fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 310mg sodium, 14g carbohydrates, 3g fiber, 8g sugar, 2g protein.
Daily Values: 20% vitamin A, 90% vitamin C, 4% calcium, 4% iron.
Other Healthy Recipes:
Healthy Dessert – Click here for a Raspberries and Cream Grill Cakes recipe.

Healthy Beverage – Click here for a Strawberry-Banana Frosty recipe.

Recipes have been provided by Jen Haugen, Registered Dietitian, at Hy-Vee supermarket of Austin, Minnesota. Jen works with one goal in mind: To help customers live out the Hy-Vee mission statement of “making lives easier, healthier, happier.”