Dr Tryfonia Mainou-Fowler
Senior Research Associate

  • Email: tryfonia.mainou-fowler@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 282 0451
  • Fax: +44 (0) 191 222 5524
  • Address: Northern Institute for Cancer Research
    Academic Haematology
    Medical School
    Newcastle University
    Framlington Place
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE2 4HH

Background

Actively involved in Research and Development regarding the identification of prognostic factors for patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). With respect to B-CLL, I have developed tests (density of CD38 and Zap-70 expression) thar are currently used in the clinical assessment of patients with B-CLL within the Northern Region.
Collaboration with Professor S J Proctor (and University Statistics department)for the development of a new prognostic index for patients with high-grade lymphoma (DLBCL).
As a researcher, I am involved in the preparation of SOPs, CosHH and Risk assessment.
As a member of the University staff, I am committed to CPD and participate in a variety of training programmes.

Roles and Responsibilities

1)As a PI, I device, obtain the funds to support and execute various studies of translational research. Data management and analysis and dissemination of the findings via publications, presentations in National and International meetings and informal discussions with colleagues. Collaboration with Clinical, Research and Technical members of University staff as research necessitates.
2)Obtain Ethical approval (MRec)and deal with Caldicott and Human Tissue Act issues relating to the research projects
3)Active in Biobanking of haematological tissue and obtain funds to maintain and manage the Haematology Biobank
4)Research supervision of technical members of staff, undergraduate BSc final year students and PhD students.
5) Collaborations with other research groups (NICR and Histopathology)

Qualifications

BSc (Hons), PhD

Memberships

British Society for Immunology
Scotland and Newcastle Lymphoma Group
UK CLL Interest Group
Newcastle Haemato-Oncology Group

Honours and Awards

Have received two awards from British Haematology Association for best presentations (Brighton 1993, Edinburgh 2006)

Languages

Bilingual (English and Greek)

Informal Interests

Active Springboard member
Member of the Northumbria Walking Club
Gardening

Research Interests

I am interested in
1) the immunobiology of lymphoproliferative disease with particular reference to B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and high-grade lymphoma (DLBCL)
2) the identification of factors of prognostic value for patients with the above diseases and also for patients with follicular lymphoma

My expertise include:
Immunology and apoptosis, tissue culture, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry,cytotoxicity assays, Elisa. Some experience on molecular biology techniques.

Have gained vast experience in data management and analyses, Ethics, Caldicott and Human Tissue Act issues, and Biobanking.

Current Work

Current projects

1)The role of CD38, CD31, ZAP-70 expression and serum markers in patients with B-CLL. Ongoing study (Chief investigator (CI))

2)CD38 and CD31 gene polymorphisms and their role in disease outcome for patients with B-CLL (CI)

3)The role of apoptosis-related factors in patients with HL (CI).

4)The role of miRNAs of the v2 transcript encoded by C13 orf 25 in patients with DLBCL (Study and data manager and co-investigator)

5)PK-DNA inhibitors in patients with CLL
(collaboration with Drs E Willmore and B Durkacz; NICR)

6)Collaborative role and named scientist on the SHIELD Trial directed by Professor SJ Proctor

Involvement in more clinical studies:
(assist with statistical analyses and discuss issues related to the studies)

1) Evaluation of treatment and disease outcome in patients with DLBCL using the Scotland and Newcastle Lymphoma Group (SNLG) database

2) Comparison of nadal versus extranodal DLBCL with particular reference to treatment and disease outcome

3) Development of a new prognostic index for patients with DLBCL
(CI: Professor SJ Proctor)

Future Research

Working towards the identification of other useful factors of prognostic significance for patients with
1)CLL (CD31 density; methylation state of CD38)
2)HL in the elderly (with Professor SJ Proctor): examine the role of serum cytokines and the microenvironment (Treg cells) and
3)high-grade NHL (role of miRNAs)

Investigate the mechanism of action by which the interaction between CD31 and CD38 affects disease outcome in patients with B-CLL.

Loss of p53 and over-expression of IAP-survivin in B-cell chemo-resistance in patients with CLL

Examine the role of MUM-1 in disease outcome in B-CLL (CI)

Low-grade vs high-grade follicular lymphoma (FL): identification of prognostic factors that are involved in the transformation of FL to DLBCL

Research Roles

I manage and direct translational research projects (finacially, scientifically) that include the identification of prognostic markers for patients with B-CLL, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and high-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).

I secure the external funding, Ethical approval (LREC, MREC) and deal with Human Tissue Act, Caldicott issues and study registration.

Development of research projects for undergraduate students and student supervision.

Currently, I supervise two PhD students, one is a Clinical Fellow.

I liaise with the local Histopathologists, Haematologists, Oncologists, RIS and the R&D departments of the Newcastle and North Tyneside NHS Trust and other Trusts as required.

I have established, manage and monitor databases for the clinical and laboratory data-collection for B-CLL and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) related studies.

Member of the Management Committee and obtain funding to support the Haematological Tissue Bank Facility based in Academic Haematology (With Professors AM Dickinson and A Hall).

Active member of the Newcastle Haemato-Oncology Group, the Local Lymphoma Group and the Scottish and Newcastle Lymphoma Group.

Collaboration with other research groups:

1) Mathematics department, Newcastle University.
Taken a collaborative role in the development of a new Prognostic Index for the clinical management of patients with high-grade NHL which combines conventional clinical parameters and biological prognostic factors.

Programme Director: Professor S J Proctor

2) Cardiff, Drs Chris Fegan and Chris Pepper
Collaboration on CLL-related studies

3) Drs E Willmore and B Durkacz; NICR
Collaboration on CLL-related studies

Developmental activities:
Developed / adapted two tests that are used clinically by the NHS Trusts of the Northern Region in the prognosis of patients with CLL (CD38 density / ZAP-70 expression).

Postgraduate Supervision

Currently I supervise two PhD students:

1) M Sieniawski (2nd year): Treatment and disease outcome and the role of miRNAs encoded by the v2 transcript of the C13 orf 25 in patients with DLBCL

2) R Culpn (1st year): Expression of miRNAs in DLBCL: profiling,qRT-PCR and prognostic studies

Possible studies:

PhD:
Examine the mechanism by which the interaction of CD38 with its physiological ligand, CD31, affects disease outcome in patients with B-CLL

MPhil:
1)Examine the methylation state of CD38 gene in B-CLL with reference to disease outcome

2) The role of MUM-1 expression in B-CLL

The above studies will require funding and Ethical approval.

Esteem Indicators

Invited speaker to the 13th World Congress ion Advances in Oncology (Professor Spandidos) 9-12 Oct. 2008 Crete, Greece

Regular referee for Clinical Oncology, Leukemia and Lymphoma, European Journal of Haematology, Haematologica, Leukemia Research and Clinical and Laboratory Haematology.

Have refereed EEC and National grant applications on areas related to B-CLL.

Invited to write two review articles: one on the role of cytokines in B-CLL (1996) and the second on the importance of CD38 quantification in prognosis in B-CLL (2004).

Funding

A. RESEARCH
1) Tyneside Leukaemia Research Association (TLRA)
• Nov 1996-Aug. 1999; £90,000, (Fellowship)
• Dec 1997-Jan 1999; £17,220; (100%)
• Sep 2000-Jan 2000; £1.977; (100%)
• May 2002-Nov 2002; £24,058; (90%)
• Jan 2001-Dec 2003; £10,600; (90%)
• Nov 2002-Oct 2004; £84,474; (80%)
• April 2004-Mar 2005; £6,419; (100%)
• May 2006-April 2008; 17,920; (80%)
• Feb 2007-July 2007; £9670; (20%)

2) Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant 2000 (M&SCT 2000)
• Aug 2005-July 2008; £142,253; (80%)
• May 2006-April 2009; £190,091; (30%)
• Aug 2008- July 2011; £216,091; ( 80%)

3) SCOTIA Pharmaceuticals
• Mar 1997-Feb 1999, £20,000; (80%)

4) Newcastle University Hospitals Special Trustees;
• Sep 1999-Dec 2000; £47,063; (80%)
• Nov 2004-Oct 2005, £8,200; (80%)

5) Leukaemia Research Fund (LRF)
• Jan 2003- July 2003; £24,945 (100%)
• And 6,000 (100%)
•
B. TRAVEL
Travel funds awarded by BSI (1992: £450; 1994: £300 and 2001: £400). BJH Travel Fund (2001: £1,000).

Undergraduate Teaching

Over the last few years have supervised final year BSc students on research- or library-related projects.

Postgraduate Teaching

Currently, I co-supervise two PhD students:

1) Dr Michal Sieniawski (Clinical Fellow; 2nd year): Treatment and disease outcome and the role of miRNAs encoded by the v2 transcript of the C13 orf 25 in patients with DLBCL

2) Rachel Culpn (1st year): Expression of miRNAs in DLBCL: profiling,qRT-PCR and prognostic studies