a) A systems biology biomarker based approach to the detection of microdose recombinant human erythropoietin doping and b) Metabolomic profiling of recombinant erythropoietin in caucasian and east-African endurance trained athletes

Project Titles: 

• a) A systems biology biomarker based approach to the detection of microdose recombinant human erythropoietin doping
• b) Metabolomic profiling of recombinant erythropoietin in caucasian and east-African endurance trained athletes

Researchers: Dr. Y. Pitsiladis, Dr G. Gmeiner, Dr. M. Ashenden, Dr. D. Watson, Ms. E. Daskalaki, Jérôme Durussel

Institution(s): University of Glasgow, UK; Seibersdorf Laboratory, Austria, SIAB, Australia

Year accepted: 2012

Summary:

• a) The purpose of a research project funded by WADA in 2008 entitled “A gene-microarray based approach to the detection of recombination human erythropoietin doping in endurance athletes” was to develop new methods with improved discriminatory power relative to current detection protocols based on gene expression profiles.
• b) We propose the addition of metabolomics (high resolution mass spectrometry methods) to the established research study aimed at identifying new metabolomic biomarkers that can differentiate between r-HuEpo administration and chronic altitude exposure (using samples already collected from WADA-funded studies).