Detection of growth hormone doping by gene expression profiling of peripheral blood cells in humans

Project Title: Detection of growth hormone doping by gene expression profiling of peripheral blood cells in humans

Researchers: K. Ho, A. Nelson, W. Kaplan, K-C. Leung (Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Australia), D. Handelsman (ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, Australia)

Year accepted: 2005

Summary: The aim of this project is to develop a test for GH doping based on the analysis of gene expression in peripheral blood cells. There is strong evidence that white blood cells respond directly to GH and indirectly through many anabolic and metabolic circulating factors. These secondary effects may continue long after the withdrawal of the GH stimulus and their gene profile characterisation could provide an extended time window for detecting GH use.