Department of Chemistry - PhD Student Seminar - Advances and Challenges in Modern Anti-Doping Science

Student: Mr. Hei Tak TSE

Department: Department of Chemistry, HKUST

Supervisor: Prof. Simon Wan CHAN

Abstract

Contemporary anti-doping science faces significant challenges from fast-clearing performance-enhancing drugs and sophisticated pharmacokinetic evasion. This seminar examines the evolution of modern forensic detection frameworks, focusing on Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) and the multi-module Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). While traditional matrices often fail to capture short-half-life compounds due to rapid hepatic clearance, Dried Blood Spot (DBS) microsampling offers a powerful alternative. DBS stabilizes fragile parent drugs through immediate paper desiccation, halting ex vivo enzymatic decay and enabling high-frequency, unannounced testing to intercept narrow microdosing windows. Concurrently, the ABP Haematological Module shifts the analytical paradigm from direct xenobiotic screening to indirect longitudinal physiological profiling. By quantifying hemoglobin spectrophotometrically and evaluating fluorescent-stained reticulocytes via flow cytometry, an adaptive Bayesian network tracks individual homeostatic balance using the mathematical OFF-Score index. This longitudinal framework successfully differentiates illicit blood manipulation from legitimate high-altitude training adaptations. Ultimately, these advancements demonstrate a critical transition in sports toxicology away from static population thresholds toward personalized macromolecular tracking.