● National Analytical Lab

Nano biosensors and Theragnostic research group led by Dr. Shah Rukh Abbas is investigating the use of natural polymeric and lipid composites to make nanobubbles and their potential in Ultrasound imaging and delivery of anti-cancer drug (natural products), anti-inflammation, and to make topical formulation of injectable drugs (for Macular Degeneration). We are also using microfluidic chip fabrication for efficient synthesis of monodisperse microencapsulations. Another major interest is biosensors: optical, electrochemical and E-nose applications. We are exploring the potential of graphene oxide for electrochemical biosensing applications for different diseases (tested for TB and Rheumatoid Arthritis) and graphene quantum dots in optical biosensing. We aim for value addition in the knowledge pool via multidisciplinary research which has the potential to strongly impact the economy of the country by commercializing the translational products of the research.

Group Members

PI: Dr. Shah Rukh Abbas

PhD students: 

1.     Noor-ul Ain Nazir

2.     Ramish Riaz

3.     Saman Taufeeq

MS Students: 

1.     Ayesha Rehman

2.     Usama Masood

3.     Hira Waqar

4.     Muhammad Waqar

Current Projects:

1.   Early detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma through breath biosensor

2.   Development of microbubble Ultrasound Contrast Agent and its potential role in multi-modal imaging & sonothrombolysis (HEC Funded).

3.   Development of One-pot sputum processing unit for Tuberculosis samples to be used with Point of Care diagnosis (Industrial Funded)

4.   Spot TB: An electrochemical biosensor chip to instantly detect TB, MDR-TB and XDR-TB (Industrial Funded).

5.    Hydrogel Microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria and its pH triggered release for enhanced efficacy (UK collaboration)

6.     Wearable biosensor for detection of cystic fibrosis via sweat.

Research Funding:

1.   Microbubble for Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) Imaging of Left Ventricular (LV) Thromb. PI: NRPU-HEC 2018 PKR 3.36 M (2 years) Ongoing 

2.   Spot TB: Development and Commercialization of Portable and Robust DNA based sensor device for Tuberculosis detection along with MDR and XDR profiling. PI:  Pharmatec Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd bought the license for the technology for PKR 14 M for its R&D and commercialisation. This Licence Agreement was signed on 30^thDecember 2018 and funding was released on Jan 2020. (2 years) On going

Selected Research Publications:

Research Papers :

1.   Hashmi, M. U., Khan, F., Khalid, N., Shahid, A. A., Javed, A., Alam, T, Abbas, S. R., Janjua, H. A. (2017). Hydrogels incorporated with silver nanocolloids prepared from antioxidant rich Aerva javanica as disruptive agents against burn wound infections. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 529(March), 475–486

2.   Saleem, M., Khan, A. N., Abbas, S. R., & Saboor, A. (2017). SuperToughening, Strengthening, and Antimicrobial Behaviors of Cyclic Olefinic Copolymer/Few Layer Graphene Nanocomposites. Polymer Composites, 1–8.

3. Khalil, M., Hashmi, M. U., Riaz, R., & Abbas, S. R., (2019). Chitosan coated liposomes (CCL) containing Triamcinolone Acetonide for sustained Delivery: A Potential Topical Treatment for Posterior Segment Diseases. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 143:483-491, doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.10.256

4.  Sohail, R., Abbas, S. R., (2020) Evaluation of amygdalin-loaded alginate-chitosan nanoparticles as biocompatible drug delivery carriers for anticancerous efficacy, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 153:36-45, doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.02.191

5.    Riaz, Z., Khan, A. N., Abbas, S. R., Hussain, Z., (2020) Structure-properties relationships of novel cyclic olefinic copolymer/poly(L-lactic acid) polymer blends, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 9, 4: 7172-79),doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.05.024,

Book Chapters 

1.     Riaz, R., Abbas, S.R., Shabbir, M., (2020) Adapting the Foreign Soil: Factors Promoting Tumor Metastasis. In: Masood N., Shakil Malik S. (eds) ‘Essentials of Cancer Genomic, Computational Approaches and Precision Medicine. Springer, Singapore.

2.     Hashmi, U, Abbas, S.R., (2019) Single-Cell Omics for Drug Discovery and Development. In: Barh D, Azevedo V, (eds) ‘ Single Cell Omics’. Academic Press.

Patents: 

Patents for Portable Sensor design to diagnose TB, MDR-TB and XDR-TB

1.     Utility Patent Application No. 177/2019

2.     Utility Patent Application No. 175/2019

3.     Utility Patent Application No. 176/2019

4.     Design Patent Application No. 19797-D

5.     Design Patent Application No. 19798-D