WATERLOO - The University of Waterloo will host a free public lecture and panel discussion next week to explore the science behind the H1N1 flu.

Christine Dupont, a biology lecturer, will give the talk and examine the biology of the H1N1 virus. She will discuss where the virus came from and why it's different from the regular seasonal flu.

"People have a lot of concerns about H1N1 vaccine and adjuvants," Dupont said. "I'll also touch upon the vaccine's components and address what some of the main controversies are."

The free event, entitled The Science Behind H1N1: Evolution, Pathology, Vaccines and Adjuvants, takes place Tuesday, Nov. 24.

After Dupont's lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions in a panel discussion. Besides Dupont, panelists include: Dr. Barb Schumacher, director of health services, University of Waterloo; Dr. William Ciccotelli, medical director of infectious diseases and medical microbiology, Grand River Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital; and Dr. Robert M. Friendship, a veterinarian and professor with expertise in swine health management at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph.

"We are looking forward to hosting this event and hope it will help answer some of the questions and concerns the public may have about H1N1," said Josh Neufeld, a professor of biology.

The event will coincide with Darwin Day, a day-long event commemorating the 150th anniversary of Darwin's publication On the Origin of Species. Darwin Day celebrations include a high school lecture, which is open to the public, on Darwin's life and research (10:30 a.m. in the Humanities Theatre, located in the J.G. Hagey Hall of the Humanities) and lab tours in the department of biology.

The lecture and panel discussion will be held from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. in the Theatre of the Arts in the Modern Languages building. Parking is available in lot HV at the south end of campus (off of Ring Road) for $3 on entrance.

This event is organized by Waterloo's faculty of science. For more information and to register, please contact scienceevents@uwaterloo.ca.