09 April 2013
Viral Cancer
Cancer isn’t often viral in cause, but Dr Clare Davy here reveals how a tiny virus with only eight genes can cause cervical cancer in adult women. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)16 is everywhere and spreads through sexual contact. Most infections don’t lead to cancer. However, in a small number of women the immune system can’t flush the virus out and cervical cancer results. Clare explains how HPV16 sometimes stops reproducing, instead making cervical cells divide out of control. She wants to understand how the viral genes cause body cells to become cancerous.
Written by
Search The Archive
Submit An Image
Like us on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Follow on Tumblr
Follow on Instagram
What is BPoD?
BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.
BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.