Tuesday, April 13, 2010

On April 13, 2010, the University of British Columbia Life Sciences Institute (LSI) hosted the second LSI Café Scientifique. Over 40 students, faculty, and interested community members gathered for an informal and participatory dialogue with UBC experts on the topic of “Inside the fight against the Flu pandemic”.

The Café featured members of the Facility for Infectious Disease and Epidemic Research (FINDER) and the interactive session was presented by Dr. Francois Jean, Scientific Director of FINDER. Additional comments were supplied by Dr. Sandra Deiderich, CIHR Post Doctoral Fellow. In light of the 2009 H1N1 Flu Pandemic, Drs. Jean and Deiderich, discussed the recent swine flu outbreaks and the research taking place at UBC and around the world to identify what makes these viruses unique and how we can prepare for the next pandemic. The session answered questions on the biology and evolution of the 2009 H1N1 virus and what drugs are being developed to combat the newly emerging drug-resistant Flu viruses. An artist’s rendition of a flu virus attaching to a cell was given away as a door prize to one member of the audience.

The LSI Café Scientifique is co-sponsored by the Life Sciences Institute, CIHR, MSFHR, Faculty of Medicine Research Office and Café Perugia (UBC Food Services). Upcoming Café topics include Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer.