Ade Whitehouse
- Position
- Professor of Molecular Virology
- Areas of expertise
- Infectious diseases and cancer
- [email protected]
- Faculty
- Biological Sciences
- School
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Website
- Faculty profile
Countries
Research
My research investigates the link between viruses and cancer. I collaborate with colleagues in South Africa due to the high prevalence of HIV in the region, which significantly impacts cancer patterns there.
At my laboratory in Leeds, we focus on the molecular biology of the two most recently identified human tumor viruses: Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV).
KSHV is linked to several lymphoproliferative disorders, including Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), which has become much more widespread in Africa as a result of the HIV epidemic. Today, KS is the most common cancer among adults in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this, there are no KSHV-targeted antivirals or vaccines.
Training Initiative
In collaboration with the Universities of Rhodes and Cape Town, we have formed a consortium to train early-stage researchers in infectious diseases and rational drug discovery/design.
Our long-term goal is to develop novel therapeutic strategies for major infectious diseases affecting sub-Saharan Africa.
The project focuses on capacity building, knowledge exchange, and promoting interdisciplinary research.