Researchers Unveil Advanced Gene Doping Detection Technique

Changmin Sung, a principal researcher at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), announced a breakthrough in the fight against gene and cell doping in sports. Alongside collaborators from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Korea University, he has developed a high-throughput multiplexed gene and cell doping analysis known as HiMDA, utilizing the acclaimed CRISPR-Cas technology. This advancement comes amid rising concerns over increasingly sophisticated doping practices that threaten the integrity of sports.

Gene and cell doping involves manipulating biological functions through gene or cell therapies, potentially enabling athletes to enhance their performance dramatically. Substances like insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and erythropoietin (EPO), which can enhance strength and endurance, are often misused in competitive sports. Although the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has prohibited these practices since 2003, the methods for accurately detecting such abuses have lagged behind.

The current landscape of doping detection primarily relies on protein-level analytical methods, which often struggle to differentiate between endogenous proteins and their exogenous counterparts. This limitation has underscored the urgent need for innovative analytical platforms capable of identifying exogenous genes at the DNA level.

New Detection Method Shows Promise

The HiMDA technique offers a significant advancement by directly amplifying target genes from blood samples without complex preparation. By employing CRISPR-Cas, the researchers can quickly and accurately identify the presence of exogenous genes. In experimental trials, they injected representative gene doping substances such as human growth hormone (hGH), EPO, and IGF-I into a mouse model. Remarkably, the assay was able to detect exogenous genes at a sensitivity of 2.5 copies within just 90 minutes, using a mere 5 μL of blood—less than half the volume of a fingertip drop.

This innovative method demonstrates superior sensitivity and specificity compared to existing assays, marking a crucial step forward in anti-doping efforts. Beyond its application in sports, the HiMDA platform is poised to serve as a versatile diagnostic tool, with potential uses in early diagnosis of infectious diseases, detection of antibiotic resistance genes, and precision medicine.

Certification and Future Applications

Currently, the HiMDA technology is in the process of being certified for adoption as a method approved by WADA. Its development has garnered significant attention as a next-generation anti-doping testing platform, equipped to tackle emerging doping techniques based on genetic and protein manipulation.

“This study provides a practical solution that can overcome the limitations of existing techniques and contribute to protecting sports ethics and fairness,” stated Changmin Sung. He emphasized the potential of this technology to evolve into a fundamental resource for precision medicine and genetic diagnostics.

KIST, established in 1966 as Korea’s first government-funded research institute, remains committed to addressing national and societal challenges through cutting-edge research. This project received support from the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) under the KIST Institutional Program and the WADA Research Support Program. The findings were published in the latest issue of the journal Science Advances, which holds an impact factor of 12.5 and ranks in the top 8.5% of journals in its field.

For more information, visit KIST’s official website at https://www.kist.re.kr/eng/index.do.