Transgene traceability in transgenic mice: a bioanalytical approach for potential gene-doping analysis

Background: The World Anti-Doping Agency fears the use of gene doping to enhance athletic performances. Thus, a bioanalytical approach based on end point PCR for detecting markers' of transgenesis traceability was developed. Results: A few sequences from two different vectors using an animal model were selected and traced in different tissues and at different times. In particular, enhanced green fluorescent protein gene and a construct-specific new marker were targeted in the analysis. To make the developed detection approach open to future routine doping analysis, matrices such as urine and tears as well blood were also tested. Conclusion: This study will have impact in evaluating the vector transgenes traceability for the detection of a gene doping event by non-invasive sampling.