Detection of doping agents in dried blood spots via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry  

De Donder Lisa, 2023
Developing a screening method for 196 doping compounds using dried blood spots (DBS), Tasso, and Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling (VAMS) instead of traditional urine testing has significant societal impacts. This advancement addresses a critical gap in anti-doping measures, where athletes can misuse pharmaceutical drugs as performance enhancers without immediate detection. Effective doping control is essential for maintaining fairness in sports, allowing everyone from amateurs to Olympians a fair chance to compete and win based on natural talent and hard work. Firstly, these methods offer enhanced convenience and compliance due to their less invasive nature and ease of collection, increasing athlete willingness to participate in doping tests. They are portable and practical, allowing for sample collection in various settings without the need for specialized facilities. From a public health perspective, better detection methods protect athletes from the harmful effects of doping and deter young athletes from using performance-enhancing drugs. Economically, these methods are cost-effective, reducing the overall costs of doping control programs due to simpler collection and storage requirements, and streamlining logistics, particularly in large-scale events like the Olympics. Ethically, effective doping control supports fair play and integrity in sports, while educational initiatives can highlight the dangers of doping and the importance of clean sports. In conclusion, switching to DBS, Tasso, and VAMS for doping screening enhances convenience, sensitivity, and reliability, promoting public health, fair competition, technological advancement, and ethical standards in sports.

Promotor Peter Van Eenoo
Opleiding Biomedische Wetenschappen
Domein Nutrition and Metabolism