Themis Charalampous

Scientist - sequencing lead at Bactobio Ltd. Honorary research fellow at KCL. Microbial genomics, environmental and clinical metagenomics, Nanopore sequencing

[Oxford Nanopore @nanopore]

A milestone in respiratory infection & biosecurity.

The UK Government has funded the expansion of the use of #metagenomic sequencing for rapid identification of #pathogens to improve patient outcomes & as an early detection method for emerging pathogens. https://t.co/uWJ5t9MwYq

[Luke Blagdon Snell @lukebsnell]

Now published: that time we discovered a new bacteria living in someone’s aorta! Also the 1st isolation of a Variovorax species from humans

@madelaam @LaraPayne85 @jonathanCIDR at @GSTTnhs @KCLImmunoMicro @Synnovis
https://t.co/qziakemmwo

Thanks @Microbiosoc for supporting us

[Luke Blagdon Snell @lukebsnell]

Looks like we have 5th case of new, highly mutated Omicron variant, BA.2.86 in London UK @GSTTnhs.
First identified by @shay_fleishon in Israel on 13 Aug.
Our case: Hospitalised, Symptoms 13Aug, locally acquired.
Sending to @KCLImmunoMicro for culture.
EPI_ISL_18111770

[Oxford Nanopore @nanopore]

The work at @GSTTresearch identifying pathogens — within hours rather than days — highlights how investing in innovative life-science research can make a "massive difference."

[Albert Koomson Jr @AlbertKoomsonJ1]

@ThemisCharalam1 what a star ⭐️ ❤️

[Luke Blagdon Snell @lukebsnell]

Gov talking about the @GSTTnhs @nanopore respiratory metagenomics service @icabbs @jonathanCIDR @ThemisCharalam1 @madelaam

[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology @SciTechgovuk]

Secretary of State @NorwichChloe visited @nanopore to discover how their technology is already improving patient care.

Today’s life science's announcements demonstrate our dedication to enhance people's lives and the economy by funding this important sector.

[Luke Blagdon Snell @lukebsnell]

Resp metagenomics for diagnosing infection in critical care
✅ 86% same day result
✅ 22% escalation of antibiotics based on species or resistance
✅ 26% deescalation if sensitive bug
✅ TB,Legionella,MRSA,PVL,VRE, Aspergillus,CMV seen
@ThemisCharalam1 @madelaam @jonathanCIDR

[Oxford Nanopore @nanopore]

Here @ThemisCharalam1, @madelaam, @lukebsnell & team demonstrate the potential of same-day nanopore metagenomics to identify pathogens and guide antibiotic treatment in cases of suspected respiratory infection.

Read here: https://t.co/4OmSAxmcpr

[Patrick Harris @padstamundo]

#ECCMID2023 Adela Alcolea-Medina: rapid metagenomics for combined detection of RNA & DNA viruses, bacteria + fungi; human DNA depletion is key; looked at BALs/ETAs, 1% read threshold, compared to culture

[Luke Blagdon Snell @lukebsnell]

Full text of our paper on the Group A Strep epidemic in London now available open access https://t.co/J1aPdoKIX7

[Themis Charalampous @ThemisCharalam1]

@lukebsnell @CMIJournal @nanopore @madelaam @stuartjdneil @GaiaNebbia @jonathanCIDR Amazing work with fast response/investigation during the Group A Strep epidemic!

[Luke Blagdon Snell @lukebsnell]

Today @CMIJournal: Analysis of the Group A Strep epidemic in London. Cases @ 4x usual & invasive disease assoc w/ superantigens A&J
https://t.co/J1aPdoKIX7

Seq & submitted in 4wks: rapid @nanopore genomics!
@madelaam @ThemisCharalam1 @stuartjdneil @GaiaNebbia @jonathanCIDR

[Merianne Mohamad @DrMerianneM]

Excited to have been awarded the @GutsCharityUK Early Career Researcher Grant for my work on rapid infection diagnostics in liver disease in the Patel lab @DrVishalCPatel @Inst_of_Hep 🎉
Grateful for the support of our collaborator @ThemisCharalam1 at the CIDR🦠 @KingsCollegeLon

[Luke Blagdon Snell @lukebsnell]

Have to see it to believe it. @nanopore R10 flow cells, v14 kit chemistry, SUP basecalling, duplex reads. Median quality score= 30. Significant number Q>40. Seq game changed. 🥳

[Oxford Nanopore @nanopore]

Consensus accuracies in excess of Q50 (99.999%) have been generated using metagenomic nanopore sequencing (at 20x coverage), supporting the generation of highly accurate genome assemblies and functional studies. Learn more in our microbiology white paper: https://t.co/KaHbM2fIl2

[Luke Blagdon Snell @lukebsnell]

In @CIDJournal today: At @GSTTnhs we’ve been using genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 to detect persistent infection, predict resistance in the virus, & choose the right treatments. https://t.co/w6Ddvf2Kpt @jonathanCIDR @GaiaNebbia @ThemisCharalam1 @madelaam @nanopore

[Luke Blagdon Snell @lukebsnell]

Our case suggesting combination of remdesivir and Paxlovid may act synergistically to treat chronic COVID/persistent SARS-CoV-2. Joining two cases from USA published in past week. @GaiaNebbia @jonathanCIDR @samd2000 #covid

[SSRN @SSRN]

The emergence of new viral infections with significant public health impact, such as monkeypox, are frequent events. This recent working paper discusses the need for comprehensive methodologies to detect rare, novel or emerging pathogens:

https://t.co/HtbBglr0VP

#monkeypox