Dr Paraskevi (Vivian) Diamanti

Current Post:  Post-Doctoral Research Scientist, Bristol Institute for Transfusion Sciences (BITS) and Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Bristol (appointed in January 2004)

Qualifications:  BSc (Hons) Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of London (2000). PhD, Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University (2004)

Research Interests

Developing Antiviral Cellular Immunotherapy Strategies: This study is funded by the National Blood Service and aims to supplement antiviral immunity in patients after stem cell transplant by administration of donor T cells.  The project involves spending time at the BCH Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Research Group alongside Dr Colin Steward, Dr Russell Garland and Sarah Groves, where we focus on optimising characterisation assays for viral-specific positive cells we select from donors.  The scale-up towards clinical use of these cells is taking place in the Clean Room facilities of the Stem Cell R&D lab in BITS, where I come into contact with Dr Allison Blair and Dr Derwood Pamphilon.

Specifically we are using a positive selection method (the IFNg capture system from Miltenyi Biotec) for isolating Cytomegalovirus-specific T cells, and assess the likely risk/benefit for using such cells. Through collaboration with the Bristol Health Protection Agency we are now able to prospectively monitor viral loads and identify patients likely to require therapy.

Further details are given under:

The assessment of immune reconstitution following transplantation and development of cellular immunotherapy

Publications

Russell J. Garland*, Paraskevi Diamanti*, Samantha E. West, Ann Green, David Carrington, Sarah J. Groves, Kerri L. Winship, Stephen P. Robinson, Anthony Oakhill, Jacqueline M. Cornish, Derwood H. Pamphilon, David I. Marks, Nicholas J. Goulden, Allison G. Blair, Colin G. Steward (2005). CMV Specific Immunotherapy: How Many Patients Will Benefit? Cytotherapy, in preparation. *equal contribution

Paraskevi Diamanti, Russell J. Garland, Samantha E. West, Ann Green, David Carrington, Sarah J. Groves, Kerri L. Winship, Stephen P. Robinson, Anthony Oakhill, Jacqueline M. Cornish, Derwood H. Pamphilon, David I. Marks, Nicholas J. Goulden, Allison Blair, Colin G. Steward. CMV Specific Immunotherapy: How Many Patients Will Benefit? Blood 2004; 104; 617a