Research Institutes, Centres and Units - Universiti Sains Malaysia

In order to achieve the ever more stringent analysis requirements of IOC/WADA, the
Doping Control Centre has equipped itself with the latest breakthrough instrumentation
and developed the manpower skills needed in order to fulfill the high technological
demands of today’s testing protocols. With core competencies that are uniquely dedicated
to trace analysis and scholarly life sciences research, the centre continues to expand
its function to provide analytical solutions for several government authorities. Many
of these current routine protocols began as problems in need of solutions. Indeed,
the Doping Control Centre has a successful track record in responding rapidly with
internationally recognized protocols to the regulatory and analysis needs of the Nation.
Analytical Services Provided by the Centre
Currently, the Centre operates 32 mass spectrometers of different configurations and
capabilities that allow testing to be carried out with precise accuracy and sensitivity.
These are well suited to meet the needs of drug analytical testing, food analysis,
environmental testing and monitoring as well as medical and diagnostic testing. Indeed
the Doping Control Centre, through research and development, can now provide
numerous analytical techniques dedicated towards clients needs. They include eight High
Performance Liquid Chromatograph-Tandem Mass Spectrometers (LCMS) with ion-trap
and triple quadrupole technologies; ten Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometers (GC/
MS) including several ion-traps that allows for tandem MS analysis up to MS10; two
High Resolution Mass Spectrometers (resolution > 60,000) for part per trillion level
quantitation and compound identification; two Gas Isotope-Ratio Mass Spectrometer
with the ability to differentiate various substances of natural and synthetic origins;
one MALDI-TOF (Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Time-of-Flight) mass
spectrometer for peptide mass finger printing and protein identification analyses;
two tandem MS/TOF hybrid instrument for proteomics; and finally two ICP-TOF for
elemental profiling and trace metals quantitation of various matrices ranging from
biological fluids to environmental matrices like soil, water and air. The Centre also has
acquired autoanalyzers and various automations for increased productivity, assuring a
quick turn around time for its customers.
The availability of these mass spectrometers and staff expertise in their operation has
enabled the centre to focus on several new areas of analysis in support of regulation
enforcement and monitoring by governmental and private organisations. With a host of
specialised analytical technologies in place, the Centre is uniquely positioned to make
contributions in advanced R&D biotechnology research; the instrumentation, although
designed for routine purposes, allows for potentially advanced research in functional
genomics and proteomics. Indeed mass spectrometry is regarded as the empowering
technology in biotechnology research and mass spectrometers have become the
key instrument in any biotech research facility. The post-genomic era has set the
platform for advanced proteomics incorporating protein identification, proteinprotein
interactions, post-translational modifications, biomarker discovery, and
de novo sequencing in understanding protein function and its role in diseases.
The direction of research in the centre has been actively pursued in this area