The VERA Lab investigates the viral, immune, genetic, clinical, and environmental factors influencing cancer-causing viruses, with a current focus on Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs). Our research aims to the improve screening, prevention, and treatment of HPV-related cancers across Africa.
A world where people are protected from preventable cancers.
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Addressing Africa’s Unique HPV Challenge
Viruses cause a significant share of the world’s cancers, many of which can be prevented or controlled through vaccines, screening, drug design and other biomedical interventions.
Vaccines developed in other settings offer less comprehensive protection against Africa’s unique disease profile. For example, HPV types circulating on the African continent are not fully represented in existing vaccines.
The VERA Lab works to create breakthroughs in the understanding of HPV acquisition, persistence, and recurrence in Africa.
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OUR APPROACH
Our approach to the high (and under-served) burden of virus-associated cancer in Africa is to lead collaborative, African-led foundational research, integrating immunology, virology, microbiome science, genomics and behavioural data.
The VERA Lab focuses on three interconnected objectives:
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01
Advance collaborative foundational research to create breakthroughs in the understanding of HPV acquisition, persistence, recurrence, and progression to cancer in Africa.
02
Build African research capacity and scientific leadership in HPV and related cancer research.
03
Translate research to inform prevention, screening and treatment strategies for HPV-associated cancer.
Consulting
ABOUT THE LAB
VERA Lab leverages the well-established sequencing infrastructure of the largest and most advanced state-of-the-art laboratory in Africa, the CERI laboratory. The Lab also draws from the expertise and shared infrastructure of Stellenbosch University’s Biomedical Research Institute, and the computational strengths of the Data School and CERI’s Bioinformatics unit.
OUR RESEARCH
VERA investigates why HPV infections persist and result in cancer development. Through a foundational science approach, we work to improve HPV prevention, screening and treatment strategies to reduce the devastating impact of HPV-associated disease in Africa.
HPV infection Dynamics
We study how viral, immune, genetic, clinical and other microbial factors shape HPV infection, clearance, persistence and disease progression.
Detection and Risk Prediction Research
We connect findings from mechanistic and biomarker research in clinical studies to inform strategies for early detection and identify those at greatest risk of HPV-associated disease.
Prevention and Treatment
We build evidence to strengthen HPV vaccination strategies and to develop context-appropriate approaches to prevent persistent infections, recurrent infections, and disease progression.
LEADERSHIP
“Virus-associated cancers are among the most preventable — and most neglected — in Africa. With African-led science and tools built for our own disease burden, we can protect a generation from cancers that should never take hold.”
The VERA Lab is led by Professor Lenine Liebenberg, a mucosal immunologist and virologist. Lenine is Chief Researcher of the Immunology Research Programme within the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University, and Associate Professor of Medical Virology in the University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. With more than two decades of experience in the mucosal immunology of sexually transmitted infections, Lenine leads interdisciplinary collaborations spanning virology, genomics, clinical research, microbiology and data science to understand and control infections and associated cancers.
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