Award for excellence in sports doping control

Agilent Technologies presented the 2008 Manfred Donike award for scientific excellence in sports doping testing to Ulrich Flenker, research scientist at the German Sport University, Cologne

Flenker was honoured for his continuous technical and scientific improvements in detecting doping with synthetic steroids by identifying the ratios of stable isotopes 13C to 12C in samples using gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS).

Agilent sponsors this annual award to recognise distinguished scientific contributions in doping analysis.

Award winners are scientists who exemplify the spirit and scientific leadership of doping-control pioneer Manfred Donike, and whose contributions significantly increase fairness in sports competition.

Along with a medallion, there is also a cash prize.

"GC-C-IRMS is now routinely and successfully applied in doping-control laboratories around the world, enabling analysts to discriminate between synthetic and natural steroid hormones to detect doping with compounds like testosterone and its pro-hormones," said Agilent's Stephen Crisp in presenting the Donike Award at the 26th Cologne Doping Workshop in Cologne, Germany.

"We're pleased to recognise Ulrich's breakthrough technology with this award".

Marie Donike, wife of the late professor, made the presentation along with Crisp.

In accepting the award, Flenker acknowledged the work of Svena Ludke in enzyme expression at the Institute of Biochemistry, and the contribution of Dietmar Schomburg of the University of Cologne.

"This appraisal of my group's work makes me feel encouraged to continue the stable isotope work," Flenker said.

"Improvement of doping-control issues in the area of stable isotopes doesn't always happen quickly, and this award is appreciated as an acknowledgement and motivation".

Flenker was scientific advisor at the lab serving the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy, responsible for stable isotope analysis.

He has also served as scientific supervisor at the 2005 IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland, overseeing stable isotope analysis.

He has held research positions at the Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University, Cologne, since 1994.

He has degrees in sports sciences (German Sport University), Biology (University of Cologne), master in sports sciences and has done doctoral studies on the application of stable isotope analysis to doping control.

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