
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
Fields of research
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
2018
Journal Article
Epigenetically reprogrammed methylation landscape drives the DNA self-assembly and serves as a universal cancer biomarker
Sina, Abu Ali Ibn, Carrascosa, Laura G., Liang, Ziyu, Grewal, Yadveer S., Wardiana, Andri, Shiddiky, Muhammad J. A., Gardiner, Robert A., Samaratunga, Hemamali, Gandhi, Maher K., Scott, Rodney J., Korbie, Darren and Trau, Matt (2018). Epigenetically reprogrammed methylation landscape drives the DNA self-assembly and serves as a universal cancer biomarker. Nature Communications, 9 (1) 4915, 4915. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07214-w
2018
Journal Article
A SERS microfluidic platform for targeting multiple soluble immune checkpoints
Reza, K. Kamil, Sina, Abu Ali Ibn, Wuethrich, Alain, Grewal, Yadveer S., Howard, Christopher B., Korbie, Darren and Trau, Matt (2018). A SERS microfluidic platform for targeting multiple soluble immune checkpoints. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 126, 178-186. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2018.10.044
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
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
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
2017
Other Outputs
Detecting DNA methylation at the gold interface: a gateway towards next generation cancer diagnostics
Sina, Abu Ali Ibn (2017). Detecting DNA methylation at the gold interface: a gateway towards next generation cancer diagnostics. PhD Thesis, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/699210
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Abu Sina is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Single molecule sensing on nanopillars: Reading complex molecular circuits
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau, Dr Alain Wuethrich
-
Doctor Philosophy
A potential pan-cancer diagnostic utilizing DNA methylation landscapes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau
-
Doctor Philosophy
A potential pan-cancer diagnostic utilizing DNA methylation landscapes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau
-
Doctor Philosophy
Harnessing nanotechnology to unravel the phenotypic heterogeneity of extracellular vesicles
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau, Associate Professor Mitchell Stark, Dr Alain Wuethrich
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Doctor Philosophy
Advanced Micro and Nano Engineered Sensors for Post Translational Modification based Liquid Biopsy Analysis of Cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau, Dr Alain Wuethrich
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Advanced Micro and Nano Engineered Sensors for Post Translational Modification based Liquid Biopsy Analysis of Cancer
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau, Dr Alain Wuethrich
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Clinical Epigenetics: Technology Development for Biomarkers of Human Health and Diseases
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alain Wuethrich, Professor Matt Trau
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Novel Nanotechnology Platforms for Cancer Diagnostics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matt Trau
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Abu Sina directly for media enquiries about:
- Biosensing
- Cancer Diagnostics
- Liquid biopsy
- Nanotechnology
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