Quantum assays for anti-doping control

The challenge

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a natural hormone that stimulates red-blood-cell production. Synthetic EPO closely mimics the natural form, making it hard to detect quickly and at low concentrations when misused for illegal doping. Current, lab-bound methods are slow and complex, creating a need for faster, more sensitive, field-ready tests.

The solution

A quantum photonic lab-on-a-chip that traps and analyses single EPO molecules, measuring mass, electrical charge and a vibrational fingerprint to tell natural from synthetic EPO. Combining these readouts aims to improve speed and sensitivity, potentially suitable for real-world, trackside testing.

The research

A QUBIC research team at the University of Queensland is developing and validating an integrated chip that optically traps proteins to provide label-free molecular fingerprinting of EPO at very low concentrations. “We start with known samples, set calibration, confirm specificity and detection limits, build and trial a prototype chip for anti-doping workflows,” says researcher Dr Igor Marinkovic.

Impact

“Direct molecular fingerprinting could redefine how EPO doping is detected,” says Dr Pavlina Naydenova. “Quantum photonic chips promise faster, more sensitive and selective testing, giving sporting bodies and clinicians a powerful new tool to safeguard athlete health and ensure competition integrity.”

Research team

• Dr Igor Marinkovic
• Dr Pavlina Naydenova
• Dr Nicolas Mauranyapin
• Prof Warwick Bowen
• Kyle Clunies-Ross

Funded by the Queensland Government’s Quantum 2032 Challenge