The campus recently hosted a talk with a difference by renowned virologist W. Ian Lipkin. In his Public Lecture titled "Bad Bugs on the Big Screen: Science fiction and fact in Hollywood ", and aided by a careful selection of movie vignettes, Lipkin discussed the evolution of cinema plots involving infectious diseases, in the broader context of how scientific content is treated in Hollywood movies.

Science is an integral part of the world we live in and touches numerous aspects of our lives. It is no surprise that science weaves its way into cinematic entertainment- be it restored dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, Tony Stark's Arc reactor in Iron Man or a deadly virus pandemic in Outbreak. The movies in this genre tell stories which build on scientific fact and are embellished with imagination. This treatment leaves its mark on the viewers in their perceptions of science and the researchers engaged in this enterprise.

The challenge here is to have a story that is based on genuine scientific fact and yet appeals to the audience as a narrative. This requires a scientist willing to devote the time and a movie crew willing to take the scientist's professional advice. Just such a meeting of minds occurred when W Ian Lipkin was approached by the Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh for developing the plot of the 2011 Hollywood movie "Contagion" which revolves around the concept of a deadly virus outbreak that quickly sweeps around the world. The movie was successful at the box office and was well received for the accuracy of its scientific content.

Lipkin's role in the making of the movie evolved over the course of production. He and his colleagues were initially involved in suggesting potential plot lines. He then went on to play a more active role in putting the script together and editing the clips. He also helped design the virus and track its evolution over the course of the pandemic, adapting a 3-D model of its structure from published literature. Two actors trained in basic molecular techniques in his laboratory in Columbia and much of the soundtrack used for the laboratory scenes in the movie were recorded in his laboratory as well.

A physician-scientist, Lipkin is internationally recognized for his work with West Nile virus and SARS, as well as advancing pathogen discovery techniques by developing a staged strategy using techniques pioneered in his lab. He and his team have discovered or characterized more than 500 infectious agents including Borna disease virus, West Nile virus, LuJo virus, human rhinovrirus C, piscine reovirus and canine hepacivirus.

In a previous interview, Lipkin stated "Contagion takes the stance that the real heroes here are the scientists and the public health people who put themselves on the line in trying to solve real problems and trying to reduce morbidity and mortality. I am hoping that the film will persuade people in college or even before college to start thinking about careers in science and engineering and mathematics. This is what the country and the world needs.

Would he do this again? "Absolutely" says Lipkin!

Prof. Lipkin's visit to India was sponsored by the Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance under the DNA@70 public lecture series, which celebrates the 70th year of DNA as the hereditary molecule. He also gave other lectures in Delhi and Bangalore.

About Prof Lipkin

W. Ian Lipkin, M.D., is the John Snow Professor of Epidemiology and Professor of Neurology and Pathology at Columbia University, Director of the Center for Infection and Immunity at the Northeast Biodefense Center, and member of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Diagnostics, Surveillance and Immunotherapeutics for Emerging Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases.

(http://www.mailman.columbia.edu/our-faculty/profile?uni=wil2001)

About the Public Lecture series
(http://www.ncbs.res.in/pastevents/Public%20Lectures)
(http://www.ncbs.res.in/HistoryScienceSociety/content/2014-events)

NCBS and inStem have an active program of Public Talks and Colloquia, which involve general talks by eminent public figures on science, science policy and society issues. These talks are accessible for a very wide audience, including students in neighboring scientific institutions and serve to raise awareness both of international science and other issues of relevance in the Indian scientific context.