Biophysical Sciences Institute

The development of 19F-NMR as a tool for analysing steroid degradation in anti-doping samples

(1 June 2012)

The Leverhulme Trust has awarded funding to Dr Steven Cobb (Chemistry, BSI) and Dr. Cormac Murphy (University College Dublin) to develop a new method to combat the possibility of false positive or false negative results being obtained in anti-doping samples collected from Althletes.

Improper storage and transport of anti-doping samples collected from athletes can lead to microbial growth occurring. This can drastically affect the natural profile of steroids in the sample including testosterone, which can lead to false positive or false negative results being obtained. The social and ethical implications of this are severe but at present the world anti-doping agency (WADA) has no robust test in place to counter this problem. The funded project will aim to develop a novel fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (19F-NMR) test that can ensure the integrity of anti-doping samples collected, which will help to increase both an athlete’s and WADA’s confidence in the testing procedures.