A research lab at the University of Cyprus
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Tumor Viruses and Cancer Lab
Our lab is interested in elucidating the mechanism of carcinogenesis driven by human papillomaviruses (HPVs). HPVs were first associated with cervical cancer due to the detection of HPV DNA in the majority of tumor biopsies. Since then these viruses have been associated to other types of cancer such as a subset of head and neck cancers and most other anogenital cancers. Expression of the viral proteins E6 and E7 is thought to be required not only for cancer development but also for maintenance. These two proteins mediate their function by interacting with and modulating important cellular factors such as the tumor suppressors p53 and pRb. Thus we focus our study on the viral oncoproteins and their cellular binding partners. Even though the HPV oncoproteins have been abundantly characterized for their interactions with multiple cellular components the mechanisms of tumorigenesis are not conclusively defined. We employ in vivo techniques in order to study the function of the viral oncogenes in the tissues which the virus would normally infect. We aim to elucidate molecular function of E6 and E7 and the mechanisms in which they contribute to carcinogenesis. Details about current projects could be discussed with the lab head.