Science On Screen pairs lecture on rabies epidemic with film, 'Contagion'

Who: The second installment in the Science on Screen series features Lawrence Livermore scientists Monica Borucki and Jonathan Allen, who will present "Reconstructing a Rabies Epidemic: Byte by Byte." This informative and entertaining lecture will explain how biologists and computer scientists used cutting-edge, ultra-deep sequencing technology to study the dynamics of a 2009 rabies outbreak. This case study, based on a dramatic increase (more than 350 percent) in the gray fox population infected with a rabies variant for which striped skunks serve as the reservoir hosts, will be used to help illustrate the changes in the viral genome during cross-species viral transmission. This lecture is appropriately paired with the feature-length film, "Contagion" (PG-13).

What: The Science on Screen series, geared for middle and high school students, creatively pairs cutting-edge science presented by leading Lab researchers with a popular feature film on a similar subject matter. The goal of the series is to provide the perfect combination of enlightenment and entertainment to inspire and engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

When: Saturday, March 18. Doors open: 2 p.m.; Lecture: 2:30 p.m.; Film: 3:30 p.m.

Where: The State Theatre, 1307 J. St., Modesto.

Note: This is a free science education program. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; there is no pre-registration. Science on Screen is presented through a partnership of The State Theatre and the LLNL University Relations and Science Education Program.