Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are epitheliotropic viruses commonly thought to begin their infectious pathway through micro-abrasions in the skin or mucosae. The 8 kb double stranded DNA genome is encapsidated by a non-enveloped T = 7 icosahedral capsid approximately 55 nm in diameter. The capsid itself is composed of only two capsid proteins, the major capsid protein L1 and the minor capsid protein L2.