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13 July 2021 | Story ANDRÉ DAMONS | Photo Charl Devenish
From the left, front: Betsie Human (analyst), Mrs Pat Lamusse (Deputy Director: Institutional Advancement, UFS), Itumeleng Mabusa (analyst), and Zeenat Raffie (part-time analyst). From the left, back: Hanno du Preez (Director: SADoCoL) and Faith Latha (analyst) in front of the new Q Exactive HF-X instrument.

With funding from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), the South African Doping Control Laboratory (SADoCoL) was able to procure a R10 million Thermo QE-HF-X instrument, which will enable the laboratory to expand its capability to enhance analytical throughput and sensitivity as required by the International Standard for Laboratories set out by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). 

SADoCoL, the only WADA-accredited laboratory in Africa, is located at the University of the Free State (UFS) and was awarded the funding in January. Mrs Patricia Lamusse, acting Director of the UFS Department of Institutional Advancement, applied for funding in early 2019, but the parties could only sign the agreement in 2021 after COVID-19 delayed the process. 

Continuous improvements are inevitable

Mr Hanno du Preez, Director of SADoCoL, says they are grateful for the funding received from the NLC to help pay for the new instrumentation. The UFS’ research fund also contributed money for the instrument. The high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometer, which was installed in June, is specifically designed for the analysis of high-molecular mass molecules, such as peptides and peptide fragments.

The installation was completed over a period of two weeks – spread over a month – as some parts needed to be delivered by the manufacturer. Says Du Preez: “The instrument is a high-resolution instrument, implicating that it has a fast detection rate with excellent sensitivity and can detect very low concentrations of large molecules. The instrument may also be used for the detection of insulins and insulin-like growth factors in human urine.”

According to Du Preez, the continuous improvement of an anti-doping laboratory is inevitable. He added that although the COVID-19 pandemic brought many negative challenges and changes, it also provided opportunities for certain sectors. 

“Due to the sudden standstill in organised sport, the laboratory was forced to explore supplementary revenue streams. The instrument will now be utilised on a routine basis for the analysis of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), growth hormone-releasing peptides, as well as research on the protein fragments developed from infection by the COVID-19 virus. 

“The laboratory has already implemented serology testing for COVID-19 in 2020, and this will enhance the test menu provided to clients,” says Du Preez. 

Delivers on mandate to ensure clean sport

A grateful Du Preez expresses appreciation to both the NLC and the UFS for the funding provided to purchase the instrument, and for the ongoing support to the laboratory. SADoCoL also acknowledges the exceptional efforts and hard work of Lamusse in securing funding from the NLC.

“This instrument will provide additional throughput and alleviate analytical capacity challenges in the laboratory. It will enhance the quality of screening analysis by improving the sensitivity of the analysis and will ensure that the laboratory delivers on its mandate to ensure clean sport,” says Du Preez. 

News Archive

Vishuis secure fifth Varsity Cup title and seventh for UFS
2017-04-21

Description: Vishuis Varsity Cup Tags: Vishuis Varsity Cup

Wian van der Watt scored a try for Vishuis
during the Koshuis final of the Varsity Cup
against Patria. The centre was also crowned
Player of the Tournament in the residence
league.
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/SASPA


The right attitude, a special group of players, and pride to represent their residence. According to Stephen Botha, Vishuis rugby captain, these were the ingredients for his team’s Varsity Cup success as they claimed a fifth national title.

The residence on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) was crowned Koshuis Champions of the Varsity Cup for a second consecutive year. In a repeat of last year’s final, they beat Patria from Pukke (25-10) on 17 April 2017 in Pretoria.
    
University continues national supremacy
Abraham Fischer not only staked its claim again as the most successful residence rugby team in South Africa, but also continued the supremacy of the UFS. The university has been national champions seven out of the ten years of the tournament. Armentum and Legatum were also champions.

“I always say that whoever wins the final of the residence league here, will probably win the Varsity Cup,” Botha says.

Team prepared for finals rugby
He attributes the success to his team’s positive attitude. “Even when we were doing fitness, the guys never complained and never asked how much more we have to do. They just did it."

“I always say that whoever
wins the final of the residence
league here, will probably win
the Varsity Cup,” Botha says.

Vishuis never seemed under too much pressure in the final. Their forwards laid a solid foundation, having the upper hand in the scrums, line-outs, and driving mauls. Although Vishuis is renowned for running rugby, Botha says his team prepared for finals rugby. “We decided to stick to the basics and not to play too risky.”

However, they lost their last league match against Sonop from Tukkies (21-23). Botha agrees that it might have been the right thing before the final. “Like I always say: ‘Every setback is a set up for a great comeback’”.

•    Vishuis centre Wian van der Watt was chosen as the Koshuis Player of the Tournament, while two Shimla flankers, Daniel Maartens and Phumzile Maqondwana, were included in the Varsity Cup Dream Team.

 

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