Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Dr Abu Sina
Dr

Abu Sina

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 64176

Overview

Background

Dr Abu Sina is currently an NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellow at the Center for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Australia. Prior to this, he served as a Visiting Scientist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University, and as a Visiting Research Fellow at the Irving Cancer Research Center, Columbia University, NY, USA.

Dr. Sina has earned both national and international acclaim for his notable contributions to advancing translational-focused nano-diagnostic technologies with a focus on early cancer detection from liquid biopsies. He is one of the few leaders in the world who is driving the liquid biopsy-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test program. He has had several media appearances so far which include interviews on national (Channel 9, Channel 7, ABC News, Fox News, etc.) and international Television (CBC News, CTV News Canada, etc.) and Radio (4EB, 4BC, ABC Perth, ABC Sunshine coast, SBS) outlets.

Actively participating in scholarly discussions, Dr. Sina has served as a Keynote Speaker, Invited Speaker, and Session Chair at various national and international conferences and seminars. His commitment to excellence has resulted in several prestigious awards, including the Metrohm-EDRACI Young Electrochemist Award 2021, the Queensland Health and Medical Research Award 2019 from the Queensland State Government of Australia, and recognition as a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials.

Central to his aspirations is a vision to develop point-of-care diagnostic technologies with the potential to revolutionize early disease detection, thereby enhancing overall quality of life.

Availability

Dr Abu Sina is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research impacts

Dr. Sina's research is centered on the development of nanotechnologies for applications in liquid biopsy, addressing clinical challenges in medical diagnostics and precision oncology. His expertise spans diverse areas of basic and translational research, encompassing chemistry, molecular biology, nano-biotechnology, liquid biopsy, biosensing, and microfluidics, among others. Notably, his work has pioneered the field of "interfacial biosensing," overcoming limitations associated with existing biosensing techniques.

A standout achievement in his innovative portfolio is the establishment of a DNA nano-signature-based cancer test, widely acknowledged as the 10-minute universal cancer test. This groundbreaking development has garnered extensive coverage in major global news outlets, including CNN, Forbes, The Guardian, CTV News, Smithsonian Magazine, and the New York Post. CNN and BioScope, an online magazine, have recognized his discovery of the 10-minute cancer test as one of the "Top Discoveries/Advances for 2018."

Throughout his research career, marked by 52 publications (12 as the First author and 16 as the corresponding author) and a patent (US Patent App. 17286379), Dr. Sina has accumulated 1865 citations, achieving an H-index of 21 and an i10-index of 33 (Source: Google Scholar). His research has been published in high-impact, discipline-ranked journals such as Nature Communications, Accounts of Chemical Research, ACS Nano, Science Advances, and Advanced Functional Materials.

Dedicated to early cancer detection and personalized treatment, Dr. Sina's research program has secured over $1.5 million in grant funding from government agencies and industries. His research outputs rank in the top 25% for citation with an FWCI score >2. The impact is evident through citations in 1,110 documents across 88 countries and in 23 different subject categories (Scopus, Oct 2023). Notably, he has been cited by authors from over 160 institutions, including Harvard Medical School and the University of California.

Works

Search Professor Abu Sina’s works on UQ eSpace

55 works between 2014 and 2024

41 - 55 of 55 works

2018

Journal Article

Parallel profiling of cancer cells and proteins using a graphene oxide functionalized ac-EHD SERS immunoassay

Reza, K. Kamil, Dey, Shuvashis, Wuethrich, Alain, Sina, Abu Ali Ibn, Korbie, Darren, Wang, Yuling and Trau, Matt (2018). Parallel profiling of cancer cells and proteins using a graphene oxide functionalized ac-EHD SERS immunoassay. Nanoscale, 10 (39), 18482-18491. doi: 10.1039/c8nr02886a

Parallel profiling of cancer cells and proteins using a graphene oxide functionalized ac-EHD SERS immunoassay

2018

Journal Article

Interfacial nano-mixing in a miniaturised platform enables signal enhancement and in situ detection of cancer biomarkers

Wuethrich, Alain, Sina, Abu Ali Ibn, Ahmed, Mostak, Lin, Ting-Yun, Carrascosa, Laura G. and Trau, Matt (2018). Interfacial nano-mixing in a miniaturised platform enables signal enhancement and in situ detection of cancer biomarkers. Nanoscale, 10 (23), 10884-10890. doi: 10.1039/C7NR09496E

Interfacial nano-mixing in a miniaturised platform enables signal enhancement and in situ detection of cancer biomarkers

2018

Book Chapter

Interfacial biosensing: direct biosensing of biomolecules at the bare metal interface

Ibn Sina, A. A., Koo, K. M., Ahmed, M., Carrascosa, L. G. and Trau, M. (2018). Interfacial biosensing: direct biosensing of biomolecules at the bare metal interface. Encyclopedia of interfacial chemistry: surface science and electrochemistry. (pp. 269-277) Amsterdam: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-409547-2.14188-5

Interfacial biosensing: direct biosensing of biomolecules at the bare metal interface

2017

Journal Article

A multiplex microplatform for the detection of multiple DNA methylation events using gold-DNA affinity

Ibn Sina, Abu Ali, Foster, Matthew Thomas, Korbie, Darren, Carrascosa, Laura G., Shiddiky, Muhammad J. A., Gao, Jing, Dey, Shuvashis and Trau, Matt (2017). A multiplex microplatform for the detection of multiple DNA methylation events using gold-DNA affinity. Analyst, 142 (19), 3573-3578. doi: 10.1039/c7an00611j

A multiplex microplatform for the detection of multiple DNA methylation events using gold-DNA affinity

2017

Journal Article

Detection of aberrant protein phosphorylation in cancer using direct gold-protein affinity interactions

Ahmed, Mostak, Carrascosa, Laura G., Ibn Sina, Abu Ali, Zarate, Ester Marina, Korbie, Darren, Ru, Ke-lin, Shiddiky, Muhammad J. A., Mainwaring, Paul and Trau, Matt (2017). Detection of aberrant protein phosphorylation in cancer using direct gold-protein affinity interactions. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 91, 8-14. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2016.12.012

Detection of aberrant protein phosphorylation in cancer using direct gold-protein affinity interactions

2016

Journal Article

Real time and label free profiling of clinically relevant exosomes

Sina, Abu Ali Ibn, Vaidyanathan, Ramanathan, Dey, Shuvashis, Carrascosa, Laura G., Shiddiky, Muhammad J. A. and Trau, Matt (2016). Real time and label free profiling of clinically relevant exosomes. Scientific Reports, 6 (30460) 30460, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/srep30460

Real time and label free profiling of clinically relevant exosomes

2016

Journal Article

Electrochemical detection of protein glycosylation using lectin and protein-gold affinity interactions

Yadav, Sharda, Carrascosa, Laura G., Sina, Abu A. I., Shiddiky, Muhammad J. A., Hill, Michelle M. and Trau, Matt (2016). Electrochemical detection of protein glycosylation using lectin and protein-gold affinity interactions. Analyst, 141 (8), 2356-2361. doi: 10.1039/c6an00528d

Electrochemical detection of protein glycosylation using lectin and protein-gold affinity interactions

2015

Journal Article

DNA-bare gold affinity interactions: mechanism and applications in biosensing

Koo, Kevin M., Sina, Abu A. I., Carrascosa, Laura G., Shiddiky, Muhammad J. A. and Trau, Matt (2015). DNA-bare gold affinity interactions: mechanism and applications in biosensing. Analytical Methods, 7 (17), 1-13. doi: 10.1039/c5ay01479d

DNA-bare gold affinity interactions: mechanism and applications in biosensing

2015

Journal Article

Synthesis, structures and properties of novel platinum(II) acetylide complexes and polymers with tri(tolyl)phosphine as the auxiliary ligand

Sina, Abu Ali Ibn, Al-Rafia, S. M. Ibrahim, Ahmad, Md. Faruak, Paul, Ratan Kumar, Islam, S. M. Saiful, Younus, Muhammad, Raithby, Paul R., Ho, Cheuk-Lam, Lo, Yih Hsing, Liu, Li, Li, Hua and Wong, Wai-Yeung (2015). Synthesis, structures and properties of novel platinum(II) acetylide complexes and polymers with tri(tolyl)phosphine as the auxiliary ligand. Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials, 25 (3), 427-436. doi: 10.1007/s10904-014-0071-7

Synthesis, structures and properties of novel platinum(II) acetylide complexes and polymers with tri(tolyl)phosphine as the auxiliary ligand

2014

Journal Article

Synthesis, characterization and Electrochemical studies of Ferrocenyl-2, 4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone

Sultana, Tahmina, Waheed, Chowdhury A., Islam, S. M. Saiful, Sina, Abu Ali Ibn, Younus, Muhammad, Jabbar, Md Abdul and Sabuj, Md Riad Hossain (2014). Synthesis, characterization and Electrochemical studies of Ferrocenyl-2, 4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone. Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, 38 (2), 177-187. doi: 10.3329/jbas.v38i2.21342

Synthesis, characterization and Electrochemical studies of Ferrocenyl-2, 4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone

2014

Journal Article

eMethylsorb: rapid quantification of DNA methylation in cancer cells on screen-printed gold electrodes

Koo, Kevin M., Sina, Abu Ali Ibn, Carrascosa, Laura G., Shiddiky, Muhammad J. A. and Trau, Matt (2014). eMethylsorb: rapid quantification of DNA methylation in cancer cells on screen-printed gold electrodes. Analyst, 139 (23), 6178-6184. doi: 10.1039/c4an01641f

eMethylsorb: rapid quantification of DNA methylation in cancer cells on screen-printed gold electrodes

2014

Journal Article

eMethylsorb: electrochemical quantification of DNA methylation at CpG resolution using DNA-gold affinity interactions

Sina, Abu Ali Ibn, Howell, Sidney, Carrascosa, Laura G., Rauf, Sakandar, Shiddiky, Muhammad J. A . and Trau, Matt (2014). eMethylsorb: electrochemical quantification of DNA methylation at CpG resolution using DNA-gold affinity interactions. Chemical Communications, 50 (86), 13153-13156. doi: 10.1039/C4CC06732K

eMethylsorb: electrochemical quantification of DNA methylation at CpG resolution using DNA-gold affinity interactions

2014

Journal Article

Molecular inversion probe-based SPR biosensing for specific, label-free and real-time detection of regional DNA methylation

Carrascosa, Laura G., Sina, Abu Ali Ibn, Palanisamy, Ramkumar, Sepulveda, Borja, Otte, Marinus A., Rauf, Sakandar, Shiddiky, Muhamad J. A. and Trau, Matt (2014). Molecular inversion probe-based SPR biosensing for specific, label-free and real-time detection of regional DNA methylation. Chemical Communications, 50 (27), 3585-3588. doi: 10.1039/C3CC49607D

Molecular inversion probe-based SPR biosensing for specific, label-free and real-time detection of regional DNA methylation

2014

Journal Article

Methylsorb: a simple method for quantifying DNA methylation using DNA-gold affinity interactions

Sina, Abu Ali Ibn, G. Carrascosa, Laura, Palanisamy, Ramkumar, Rauf, Sakandar, Shiddiky, Muhammad J. A. and Trau, Matt (2014). Methylsorb: a simple method for quantifying DNA methylation using DNA-gold affinity interactions. Analytical Chemistry, 86 (20), 10179-10185. doi: 10.1021/ac502214z

Methylsorb: a simple method for quantifying DNA methylation using DNA-gold affinity interactions

2014

Conference Publication

Methylsorb: A Simple Method for Quantifying DNA Methylation Using DNA-gold Affinity Interactions

Shiddiky, Muhammad J, Sina, Abu Ali Ibn, Carracosa, Laura G, Palanisamy, Ramkumar, Rauf, Sakandar and Trau, Matt (2014). Methylsorb: A Simple Method for Quantifying DNA Methylation Using DNA-gold Affinity Interactions. 8th International Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 20-22 December 2014. New York, NY United States: I E E E. doi: 10.1109/ICECE.2014.7027002

Methylsorb: A Simple Method for Quantifying DNA Methylation Using DNA-gold Affinity Interactions

Funding

Current funding

  • 2020 - 2024
    A potential pan-cancer diagnostic utilizing DNA methylation landscapes
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2023
    Single molecule sensing on nanopillars: Reading complex molecular circuits
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Towards personalized nanomedicine: Exploring interfacial nanomixing as a tool to monitor aberrant protein phosphorylation pathways in cancer
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Abu Sina is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Multiplex microdevice for the detection of DNA Methylation

    Methylation of DNA is a type of epigenetic signatures that defines the eukaryotic cell’s identity by regulating gene expression. Aberrant methylation in the genome can deregulate the gene expression pathways leading to diseases like cancer. Thus, DNA methylation has been regarded as one of the important biomarkers for cancer. Recent years have seen tremendous advancement in methylation based biomarker discovery providing abundant information about the genomic printing. However, cancer is a versatile disease that often needs multiple biomarker analysis for accurate detection. Current practice in detecting methylation biomarkers in clinic is largely affected by expensive sequencing technique. Recent advancements in electrochemical and optical biosensors have shown great promise in developing inexpensive multiplex platform. Despite of their significant improvement in sensitivity, these methods are restricted by major technological challenges including functionalization of sensor surface, long analysis procedure and invasive sampling. We have recently developed an interfacial biosensing technique to identify DNA methylation using gold-DNA affinity which obviates the need for sensor surface modification. In this study, we aim to develop a novel multiplex micro-device comprising an array of microelectrodes for directly detecting the genomic methylation biomarkers with the mechanism of interfacial adsorption between DNA and metal surfaces. These microelectrodes can significantly increase the assay sensitivity due to the high signal to noise ratio. We believe that this micro-fabricated multiplex platform will find broad applications as simple diagnostic tool in the clinic.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Dr Abu Sina directly for media enquiries about:

  • Biosensing
  • Cancer Diagnostics
  • Liquid biopsy
  • Nanotechnology

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au