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King's College London

The Science Behind Anti-Doping

King's College London via FutureLearn

Overview

Learn the science behind the anti-doping process with King’s College London

This fascinating course will cover the life cycle of a sample (blood and urine) collected for anti-doping purposes within sport and explain the science behind the analytical processes involved.

Gain an understanding the WADA anti-doping system

After getting an overview of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), you’ll cover the prohibited drugs list and will get an insight into screening methods of both blood and urine.

You’ll also gain an understanding of the collaborations with WADA (World Anti-doping Agency), UKAD (UK Anti-Doping) and PCC (Partnership for Clean Competition), as well as high profile VIP sports professionals.

Discover how samples are tested and learn about the future of anti-doping

You’ll then see how an accredited anti-doping laboratory needs to meet the highest quality assurance standards in order to serve sporting bodies and professionals.

You’ll also learn how the samples tested and analysed, validated and confirmed, as well as which instruments and scientific processes are used throughout.

Before the course ends, you’ll cover a range of case studies and will gain an insight into future directions of research and development.

Get the know-how from the experts at the Drug Control Centre (DCC)

The internationally renowned Drug Control Centre (DCC) was founded in 1978 in association with the UK Sports Council, and since then has been at the forefront of advances in anti-doping science. It is an integral part of King’s Forensics, a specialised research department at King’s College London.

You’ll be taught by academic and teaching experts who also teach on the postgraduate Master’s degree programmes in Analytical Toxicology and Forensic Science at King’s College London.

This course is likely to be appealing to non-health professionals, such as journalists and bloggers, as well as amateur athletes, coaches, and others involved in the world of sport.

It’s also suited to anyone who has been interested in the latest doping controversies around the world.

Syllabus

  • Introduction to anti-doping
    • Welcome to the course
    • Who or what is WADA?
    • Who or what is UKAD?
    • Sample collection
    • Weekly wrap-up
  • Pre-analysis, screening methods, instruments and drug categories
    • Welcome to week 2
    • Quality control
    • Urine screening and testing process
    • The science behind screening and testing
    • Initial test results
    • Weekly wrap up
  • The science behind immunoassays test and how they are used in anti-doping laboratories
    • Welcome to week 3
    • Misuse of growth hormones
    • Blood doping
    • Athlete biological passport (ABP) and the athlete profile management unit (APMU)
    • Results and adverse analytical findings
    • Weekly wrap up
  • Catching the cheats: review of real life doping cases and the dark side of sport
    • Welcome to week 4
    • Case studies
    • Update on our athletes
    • Future directions and research
    • Course wrap-up

Taught by

Lesley Nott

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