The discoveries of human papilloma viruses that cause cervical cancer and of human immunodeficiency virus

Professor Harald zur Hausen, emeritus Scientific Director and Chairman of the Management Board of the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, has made seminal observations that identify novel human papilloma viruses as key contributors to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women. Professor zur Hausen's discoveries include detection of novel human papilloma virus types, isolation of the human papilloma virus types 16 and 18 genomes, and expression of specific papilloma virus DNA genes integrated into the tumour host cell genome. These findings have led to an understanding of cervical carcinogenesis, a characterization of the natural history of the human papilloma virus infection, and paved the way for the development of preventive vaccines.