Prof. dr. Hidde Haisma develops test to detect genetic EPO doping

Hidde Haisma, Professor of Pharmaceutical Gene Modulation at the University of Groningen and Head of the Sciences Department at University College Groningen, is busy developing a test that can be used to trace genetic EPO doping.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced by the kidney that promotes the formation of red blood cells by the bone marrow. It is not extremely difficult to obtain the drug, it can even simply be ordered via the internet. When injected in the bloodstream, the amount of blood cells gets a huge boost. This is fairly easy to detect with a test. However, with genetic administration of EPO in the muscles it gets slowly absorbed and therefore remains below a critical level. The chances of users getting caught is 0%.

Read more about this fascinating test and the interview with Hidde Haisma on the UG website.