The overall goal of my research is to understand virus-host interactions and to translate this knowledge into new therapeutic strategies against viral infections and cancer. 

More specifically, I investigate different aspects of human papillomavirus (HPV) biology and the molecular mechanisms associated with its carcinogenic process.

My previous work has identified the role of the HPV E6 proteins in triggering the up-regulation of DNA mutating enzymes (APOBEC3), providing new insights into the HPV mediated tumorigenesis.

Currently, my project focuses on identifying small molecules that inhibit the degradation of the tumor suppressor protein p53 in HPV-infected cells. Ideally, such molecules would abrogate HPV oncogenic properties offering new alternatives for the treatment of HPV infections and its related malignancies.

1. De Oliveira, G. R., Vieira,V. C., Ávila, E. C., Finger-Jardim, F., Caldeira, T. D., Gatti, F. A.,Gonçalves, C. V., Oliveira, S. G., Da Hora, V. P., Soares, M. A., Martinez, A.M. B.

Human papillomavirus type distribution and HPV16 intratype diversity in southernBrazil in women with and without cervical lesions. 

Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz, v. 112, p. 492-498, 2017.

2. De Oliveira, G. R., Siqueira, J. D., Finger-Jardim, F., Vieira, V. C., Silva, R. L.,Gonçalves, C. V., Soares, E. A., Martinez, A. M. B., Soares M. A. 

Characterization of complete high- and low-risk human papillomavirus genomes isolated from cervical specimens in southern Brazil.

Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz, v. 112, 2017.

3. Vieira, V. C., Leonard, B., White, E. A., Starrett, G. J., Temiz, N. A.,Lorenz, L. D., Lee, D., Soares, M. A., Lambert, P. F., Howley, P. M., Harris,R. S. 

Human papillomavirus E6 triggers upregulation of the antiviral and cancer genomic DNA deaminase APOBEC3B. 

mBio, v.5, p.e02234-14 - e02234-14, 2014.

4. Vieira, V. C., Soares, M. A. 

The role of cytidine deaminases on innate immune responses against human viral infections.

BioMed Research International, v. 2013, p. 1-18, 2013.

5. Vieira, V. C., Barral, M. F. M., Mendoza-Sassi, R., Silveira, J., Soares,M. A. And Martinez, A. M. B. 

The effect of combined polymorphisms in chemokines and chemokine receptors on the clinical course of HIV-1 infection in a Brazilian population. 

Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz.  v.106, p.408 - 414, 2011.