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Agilent Technologies Presents 2008 Manfred Donike Award for Sports Doping Control Excellence to German Researcher

23 Apr 2008 - Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that it has presented the 2008 Manfred Donike Award for scientific excellence in sports doping testing to Ulrich Flenker, research scientist at the Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany. Flenker was honored 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 recognize 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 B. Crisp in presenting the Donike Award at the 26th Cologne Doping Workshop in Cologne, Germany. "We're pleased to recognize Ulrich's breakthrough technology with this award."
 
In accepting the award, Flenker acknowledged the work of Svena Ludke in enzyme expression at the Institute of Biochemistry, and the contribution of Dr. 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."