Our lab's research focuses on better understanding the development of human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancers at the molecular level. Our analysis involves studies in two different types of HPV-associated cancers, human cervical cancers (>90% contain HPVs) and Oral and Head and Neck cancers, HNSCC (20-30% contain HPVs). We study the functions of two major HPV oncoproteins, E6 and E7 that are expressed in 100% of HPV-associated cancers. We analyze how these viral oncoproteins modify the key cellular tumor suppressor proteins, p53 and Rb to initiate and sustain tumorigenesis. These studies are expected to identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention and might provide new modalities for preventing or treating HPV-related cancers.
