Detection of EPO and evaluation of CD71 expression from a dried blood spot following rEPO administration

Code: ISF17A32DE

To explore the detection capability of rEPO administration from a dried blood spot.  Primarily, the immature reticulocyte surface protein CD71 will be analyzed in a longitudinal manner to evaluate changes following EPO administration.  Secondarily, we will seek to optimize direct detection of rEPO from a single or multiple dried blood spots using conventional SAR-PAGE techniques.  Importantly, the ability to detect ESA abuse from a dried blood spot, whether directly or via longitudinal means (i.e. CD71+ cells), would be critical for the future of doping control testing.