51³Ô¹ÏÍø

On the 11th of June, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Research Impact Management Office (RIMO) did what they do best, made research glow, by hosting an evening reception at the Spanish Ambassador’s Residence in London to celebrate the success of the DIAMONDS research project.

What is DIAMONDS? 

– was an EU-funded research project which aimed to develop a rapid, novel diagnostic test for common viral and infectious bacterial disease. By harnessing a patient's very first blood sample, the test is designed to deliver a diagnosis in under two hours — dramatically reducing the time patients spend in uncertainty, sparing them from unnecessary and potentially painful procedures, and fundamentally transforming the way healthcare can be delivered at a reduced economic cost. 

The project involved researchers and scientists from 28 institutions across 13 countries, with 11 of those countries from Europe. To celebrate the EU collaborations and partnerships, Her Excellency, the Spanish Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Emma Aparici Vázquez de Parga invited the DIAMONDS consortium and its supporting champions to the Spanish Embassy.  

An Evening to Celebrate 

DIAMONDS lead, Professor Mike Levin (51³Ô¹ÏÍø, UK) and DIAMONDS co-lead, Professor Federico Martinón-Torres (Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Spain) took attendees on a journey of the 20 years of research that built up to this point. From pilot studies in the early 2000s, proving that RNA signatures in blood can be used to diagnose and classify diseases, to now, an international consortium of partners from across the globe and nearly €60 million in EU-funding for developing cost-effective diagnostic tests in public health systems across the world. 

In attendance were policy advisors, EU delegates to the UK, representatives of the formerly named Department of Science and Technology (DSIT), UK Research and Innovation counsellors, and of course, the multidisciplinary team that make up the DIAMONDS consortium. The diversity and breadth of attendees demonstrated the importance and relevance of DIAMONDS research, sustaining and improving public health outcomes for, as Dr Marta Archanco, Associate Director of RIMO put it, “bettering diagnostic outcomes for our families, our children, and our communities”.  

It was a night to recognise not only EU partnerships but the adaptability and fortitude that such research funding frameworks as Horizon Europe enables. The COVID-19 pandemic hit with such a force that derailed the world. However, as Professor Peter Haynes, Provost & Deputy President to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, noted in his opening address, “rather than being derailed, the [DIAMONDS] collaboration evolved rapidly to incorporate COVID-19 into its research agenda… [becoming] a part of international efforts to produce an effective vaccine.”  

Who is RIMO? 

The evening reception was also a time to recognise more than project outputs and acknowledge the people behind them. It highlighted the significant professional and personal investment required to sustain such work over the lifecycle of a project such as DIAMONDS and its predecessor research projects, PERFORM, EUCLIDS, and ILULU. Finance managers, administrative personnel, the project managers, legal and contracts teams, and communication officers, made up the diverse and talented teams of people who kept the logistics and operations running smoothly. This transformed over 20 years of research from humble beginnings into the multi-national, multi-million EU grants it became. For the last decade, Professor Mike Levin and the consortium’s research projects, have been supported by RIMO’s project management team.   

RIMO has been the management team behind some of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s most ambitious research projects. Today, the team’s portfolio spans more than €100 million in project value and involves more than 150 partners globally. Grants with Professor Levin had been a constant presence amongst that portfolio. 

Reflecting on more than 12 years of working alongside Professor Mike Levin and the DIAMONDS consortium, Dr Marta Archanco spoke at the celebration to the philosophy that has guided the team's work: 

"Mike always used to say: 'You take care of the rest so we can focus on the research.' And…that is exactly what we do, and what we are good at." 

For Dr Archanco, the lasting value of projects like DIAMONDS extends beyond research outputs: 

"Even though the project of DIAMONDS has ended, I know the partnerships, the friendships, the collaborations…will continue far into the future.” 

Honouring the journey, enabling the future 

The event also provided an opportunity to look ahead and showcase the project’s future. While DIAMONDS has formally concluded, the knowledge, networks and infrastructure established through the consortium will continue to support future research and innovation. The project also serves as a marker to inspire the next generation of researchers and innovators and demonstrate the importance of international collaboration. 

For the 70 guests who were either part of, contributed to, or have been impacted by the DIAMONDS project, the event provided a rare opportunity to celebrate the collective effort behind a major international research initiative and to recognise the many people and teams whose dedication has contributed to its success. 

Madame Ambassador, Emma Aparici Vázquez de Parga praised the achievements of the DIAMONDS consortium and reflected on the importance of international cooperation in tackling global health challenges. Emphasising the power of long-term collaboration, she noted: 

‘No achievement is ever the success of one person but the results of decades of collaboration - that is what DIAMONDS has achieved.’ 

For Professor Martinón-Torres, “together we are shaping the future of infectious disease diagnosis….science without borders. Impact without limits” 

DIAMONDS beyond the Horizon 

Since the closure of DIAMONDS, the team have continued to make new partnerships and worked with the likes of the , a genomics research institute, and , a molecular diagnostic company, to progress some smaller initiatives. But while the research continues, the team are actively pursuing new connections and partnerships. One of DIAMONDS' most important legacies, the DIAMONDS Biobank, needs continued maintenance and this incredible resource needs to remain available to support future ground-breaking research. 

Like many research collaborations across Europe, the DIAMONDS consortium is navigating an increasingly competitive funding landscape. The team is actively exploring new funding opportunities to build on the project's discoveries and continue advancing research into the diagnosis and management of febrile diseases. 

So, while the evening itself concluded with guests celebrating over a glass of Spanish wine, generously provided by the Ambassador of Spain, the research teams continue forward and are working on bringing in support to sustain and grow DIAMONDS beyond. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the Research Impact Management Office, find the team on 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s website. 

Image credit: © Brendan Foster Photography