Scientists race to uncover genetic doping in sport

But scientists at the University of Canberra are already on the case, attempting to develop a test that can be effective long after gene doping has occurred.

Michelle Gahan, an assistant professor of forensic studies at the university, said genetic material could be injected that caused the body to undertake actions such as generating more red blood cells.

"The cells in the body and the muscle takes up that gene and they use it to make the doping agent,'' Professor Gahan said.

"It's actually the cells of the body that make the doping agent. It's sort of the same as giving a DNA vaccine.

"It's coming out of good work that's being done in vaccines and gene therapy for the good of the population but it's now being turned on its head and that technology is being used for nefarious purposes.''

With the help of a $250,000 grant from the federal government, Dr Gahan and immunology professor Ian Ramshaw are leading a project at the university to develop a more sensitive test to uncover cheating.

Current tests have to be conducted quickly after doping has occurred. But a new test would detect cheating by identifying patterns left behind on other genes by the doping agent. "Basically, you get a gene expression pattern and what we're hoping to do is characterise that pattern for each doping agent and that pattern should hopefully be present more long term,'' Professor Gahan said.

The project team also includes Sudha Rao, Simon Easteal and Daniel Eichner from the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory in Salt Lake City. The research will be conducted using gene sequencing equipment at UC and the Australian National University.

Genetic doping was prohibited by international anti-doping authorities in 2003. "Since then the world anti-doping and Australian anti-doping agencies have been funding research to try and detect it,'' Professor Gahan said. ''Because they do see it - if not as a problem that's happening now - as a potential problem.''