MGI and HKBU Collaborate on Advanced Sequencing Technology to Combat Doping in Sports

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics witnessed a major advancement in sports integrity with the introduction of advanced gene sequencing technology to combat doping. MGI Tech Co., Ltd. ("MGI") collaborated with renowned geneticist Professor Yannis Pitsiladis of Hong Kong Baptist University to enhance anti-doping efforts through cutting-edge omics and sequencing tools.

Prof. Pitsiladis, a leading figure in anti-doping research and a key member of the International Olympic Committee Medical and Scientific Commission, highlighted the increasing challenge of doping in sports, with an estimated 6% of top athletes worldwide engaging in the practice. He emphasized the need for more sophisticated detection methods, which is where MGI’s technology comes into play.

During the Olympics, Prof. Pitsiladis participated in a panel discussion organized by the World Olympians Association, where he showcased the potential of MGI’s DNBSEQ sequencers and automation platforms to detect blood doping with unprecedented precision. The event took place on July 29 at OLY House Paris 2024 @ Caisse d'Epargne, where MGI also exhibited its cutting-edge portable DNBSEQ-E25 sequencer, the ultra-high-speed DNBSEQ-G99 platform, and the AlphaTool automated pipetting robot. These technologies offer a glimpse into the future of sports integrity, promising to streamline and enhance the anti-doping testing process.

Earlier in July, Prof. Pitsiladis, alongside MGI and international researchers, published a perspective article titled “Practical steps to develop a transcriptomic test for blood doping” in Translational Exercise Biomedicine. The article outlines the development of a transcriptomic test for blood doping, aiming to assist anti-doping centers worldwide in adopting more effective testing methods.

As the world reflects on the triumphs and challenges of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the strides made in anti-doping technology represent a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight for fair play in sports. This collaboration marks a significant leap forward in preserving the integrity of the Olympic Games and the future of sports worldwide.