Free screening of I am Legend in series Science in the Cinema

(November 4, 2009, Edmonton, Alberta) Edmontonians are invited to enjoy a free movie, popcorn, and an opportunity to talk with virus experts at an event hosted by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR). On Saturday, November 14, AHFMR is presenting I am Legend at 4 p.m. at the Garneau Theatre, 8712 – 109 Street.

I am Legend tells the story of a "cure" for cancer that goes horribly wrong, killing most of humanity and transforming the rest into monsters. Will Smith stars as the sole survivor in New York City who struggles to find a cure for the new virus.

After the film Mary Hitt, PhD, a cancer scientist at the Cross Cancer Institute, and David Evans, PhD, a virologist at the University of Alberta, will discuss with the audience the latest research using genes and viruses to fight disease.

An associate professor of oncology in the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Mary Hitt, PhD, has studied adenoviruses for the past 20 years, specifically working on genetically engineering adenoviruses to target and kill cancer cells without harming normal cells. Recently, her work has focused on oncolytic viruses, some of which have an innate ability to replicate in human tumour cells but not normal cells.

David Evans, PhD, chair of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, is a virologist whose team investigates the DNA replication of poxviruses, and more recently, the use of poxviruses to treat cancer. A voting member of the World Health Organization's smallpox scientific advisory committee, Evans is a leader on the pan-Alberta team that is building the Alberta Institute for Viral Immunology.

"This Science in the Cinema program is part of our ongoing focus on science education, inviting people around Alberta – especially young people – to compare the depictions of science in the movies with the reality of on-the-ground research in Alberta," says AHFMR Interim CEO Jacques Magnan, PhD. "The idea is to reach new audiences while we learn about the scientific topics raised in the films. Our thanks go out to the scientists who have been attending and sharing their considerable expertise with Albertans."

The next Science in the Cinema features Philadelphia on Saturday, January 16, 2010, 4:00 p.m.

For pre‐interviews please contact: Karen Thomas, AHFMR Media Specialist, 1.877.423.5727 x225, 403.651.1112 (cell),

For more information: Nancy Whelan, Education Community Outreach Manager, , 1.877.423.5727 x260, 1.403.471.7541 (cellular ‐ not for publication).