Anti-Doping Science - What are the experts talking about?

DFSNZ’s Science Manager Bridget Leonard recently attended the 15th Annual USADA Symposium on Anti-Doping Science in Seattle, Washington. The symposium focused on exploring the theme Recovery, Repair, and Regeneration: From Steroids to Stem Cells. It was attended by experts from nearly 30 countries and included representatives from World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratories, science managers from National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs), WADA and International Federation representatives as well as academic and clinical researchers. 

Discussions centered around evolving treatment modalities and anti-doping, and included presentations from researchers in areas such as regenerative medicine, reproductive medicine, skeletal muscle adaptation to over-training and gene therapy. On the first day of the Symposium talks on the structure and molecular biology of skeletal muscle, role of IGF-1, anabolic steroids and satellite cells were presented. Day two presentations included discussion of testosterone measurement and levels in males and females along with the latest developments in stem cell therapies and new therapeutic agents affecting muscle growth and metabolism. The final morning included discussion of brain stimulation and anti-doping. 

The Symposium is of great value in bringing together experts and the anti-doping community to focus on challenges facing anti-doping. Many of the challenges DFSNZ faces are common to other NADOs and from a Science Manager’s perspective it is extremely worthwhile.