Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the causative agents of cervical cancer, which remains one of the most prevalent cancers in the world. The presentation will commence with an overview of HPV and the life cycle, highlighting key steps in the progression to the development of malignancy. My laboratory is interested in the processes whereby HPVs gain access to the basement membrane and are then trafficked through the infected cell resulting in the viral genome accessing the nucleus. This process involves recruitment of cellular proteins involved in the regulation of the endocytic sorting machinery. Studies will be presented highlighting how components of the viral capsid interact with this endocytic machinery and thereby facilitate escape from lysozomal degradation. The other topic of research focusses on the mode of action of the E6 and E7 oncoproteins. These are responsible for maintaining and driving tumour development. Our studies have centred on understanding how they disrupt cellular homeostasis and in particular how these processes are regulated by post translational modifications. Recent work highlighting a novel association between the E7 oncoprotein and components of endocytic transport will also be discussed.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: circular economy could be summarized in these three words. The elimination of waste and the consistent use of sustainable resources boosts efficiency and promotes remanufacturing, while reuse reduces pressure on primary resources. Such an approach is beneficial for human beings and the Earth, and is in line with the objectives set by the international community through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. With this round table, TWAS would like to spark a debate on how developing countries could engage in a higher-value circular economy.

Biotechnology and the world of colours have always been intertwined. Nature’s shades and hues are captured in their natural state and synthesised for use in various products on the market. In this talk colours become an instrument to explore certain fields that make use of biotechnologies and at the same time promote sustainable development: green to highlight the potential of various agricultural sectors; blue indicates marine biodiversity as a source of essential compounds; and red stands for immunology in the pharmaceutical industries and health care.