Discovering red cell proteome biomarkers for identification of recombinant human erythropoietin misuse and hypoxic exposure

Code: 21T07NN

Detection of blood doping remain a challenge, and novel detection methods are warranted. In the present project, the aim is to evaluate the potential of changes in red blood cell proteins for detection of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) misuse at sea level and at altitude in males and females. The red cell protein content is expected to change with rhEpo treatment, as the transcription of genes coding for red cell proteins change during blood doping practices. Indeed, changes in a few proteins of red blood cells are known to change with rhEpo misuse. However, whether the changes in these proteins are sensitive and specific to rhEpo misuse and whether more sensitive and more specific proteins exist remains unknown. Additionally, it remains unknown whether hypoxic exposure or gender are confounding factors to these changes. To answer these questions, the present project will investigate more than 1000 different red blood cell proteins using mass spectrometry and identify the most sensitive and specific ones. Further, the present project will develop and validate a model for rhEpo detection based on the detected proteins. Our goal is to develop a ready-to-use robust method that will allow precise quantification of our novel biomarkers within approximately 4 h, from receiving the sample to the result.