Affinity-based biosensors as promising tools for gene doping detection

Trends Biotechnol. 2008 May;26(5):236-43. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2008.02.005. Epub 2008 Mar 25.

Abstract

Innovative bioanalytical approaches can be foreseen as interesting means for solving relevant emerging problems in anti-doping control. Sport authorities fear that the newer form of doping, so-called gene doping, based on a misuse of gene therapy, will be undetectable and thus much less preventable. The World Anti-Doping Agency has already asked scientists to assist in finding ways to prevent and detect this newest kind of doping. In this Opinion article we discuss the main aspects of gene doping, from the putative target analytes to suitable sampling strategies. Moreover, we discuss the potential application of affinity sensing in this field, which so far has been successfully applied to a variety of analytical problems, from clinical diagnostics to food and environmental analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / genetics
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • DNA, Complementary / analysis
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Doping in Sports / methods*
  • Doping in Sports / prevention & control
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Genetic Enhancement*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Recombinant Proteins / analysis
  • Recombinant Proteins / blood
  • Recombinant Proteins / urine
  • Substance Abuse Detection / methods*
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Transgenes / genetics

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Recombinant Proteins