Dr Suong Ngo

Biography/ Background

Welcome to my Adelaide Uni homepage. I am a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology in the School of Veterinary Science, with teaching and research interests in the Molecular Pharmacology & Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmacogenomics/Pharmacogenetics, and Quality Use of Medicines areas. My research focuses on: 1) Xenobiotic disposition in Australian Marsupials 2) Molecular mechanism of drug-interactions involving complementary medicines, with a focus on cytochrome P450 CYP enzymes and P-glycoproteins 3) Appropriate and safe use of OTC medicines 4) Generic substitution - assessing in vitro bioequivalence of multiple generic NTI medicines. Recently I have developed teaching and research interests in genetic polymorphisms and their association to variable response/toxicity to anticancer drugs used in advanced breast and colorectal cancer patients.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Pharmacy (UniSA) 1998

 

Bachelor of Pharmacy Honours (UniSA) 1999

 

Ph.D. (UniSA) 2003

Awards & Achievements

2008-2009, ASCEPT ASM Editor

 

2008, Lecturer of the year, Faculty of Education, Health & Science, CDU

Teaching Interests

Pharmacology & Toxicology

Research Interests

Current projects:  

          
1. Molecular insights into xenobiotic disposition in Australian marsupials: While most animals tend to select food low in potentially toxic chemicals, several Australian marsupials rely on eucalyptus leaves as a major or only food source. In order to ingest and absorb such large quantities of toxic plant secondary metabolites in these leaves, specialist eucalyptus feeders such as the koala must have evolved highly specialised detoxification mechanism involved several liver enzyme systems. The project will examine the dietary effect of eucalyptus terpenes on the induction of CYP4A, peroxisomal Acyl CoA Oxidases and other CYPs in Australian marsupials. The transcriptional regulatory role of the nuclear receptor PPAR-alpha will also be investigated. The project will contribute to the knowledge of the metabolic capacity of Australian marsupials, especially at the molecular level that is limited at present.

 

2. Appropriate and safe use of OTC medicines: The aim of the project is to investigate whether patients are well informed about OTC they take, with a focus on non-prescription analgesics, utilizing a cross-sectional study involving multiple item self-administered anonymous questionnaires and stratified samples of patients from community pharmacies. The project aims to identify various pathways that may be used for conveying of safe and accurate information to the patients.  

                  
3. Mechanism of herb-drug interaction - The effects of St John's Wort (SJW) on membrane transport proteins and drug metabolising enzymes. The project examines the molecular mechanism by which SJW changes the way the body handles conventional medicines, particularly examining the factors responsible for drug up-take and handling along different regions of the intestines, the liver and kidneys. The project involves extraction and quantification of active constituents of SJW, animal studies, and analyses of CYP3A protein and mRNA expression utilising molecular biology techniques.

  

4. Generic substitution - assessing in vitro bioequivalence of multiple generic medicines: The project aims to assess in vitro bioequivalence of multiple generic medicines by dissolution test, with a focus on narrow therapeutic index drugs in which a relatively small change in systemic absorption can result in marked changes in therapeutic effects and toxicity.                   

Publications

Kong S, Ngo SNT, McKinnon RA, Stupans I. Cloning and expression of koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) liver Cytochrome P450 reductase. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C Toxicology & Pharmacology 150: 1-9; 2009.

 

Turkanovic J, Ngo SNT, Milne RW. Effect of St John's wort on the disposition of fexofenadine in the isolated perfused rat liver. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 61(8): 1037-1042; 2009.

 

Ngo SNT, Stupans I, Leong WS. Appropriate use of non-prescription ibuprofen: a survey of patients’ perceptions and understanding. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice; 2009 (in press)

 

Ngo SNT, McKinnon RA, Stupans I. Is there peroxisome proliferation in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and whether it is correlated to previously observed up-regulation of CYP4A and peroxisomal acyl CoA oxidases (AOX)? Gene Expression to Genetical Genomics; 2009 (in press)

 

Ngo SNT, Williams DB, Cobiac L, Head RJ. Rosemary and cancer prevention - Preclinical perspectives. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (under review)

 

Jones BJ, El-Merhibi A, Ngo SNT, Stupans I, McKinnon RA. Hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes belonging to the CYP2C subfamily from an Australian marsupial, the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C Toxicology & Pharmacology. 148(3): 230-237; 2008.

 

El-Merhibi A, Ngo SNT, Jones BJ, McKinnon RA. Molecular insights into xenobiotic disposition in Australian marsupials. The Australasian Journal of Ecotoxicology. 13(2): 53-64; 2008.

 

Phan TT, Heng SH, Abarno A, McKinnon RA, Ngo SNT. Induction of cytochrome P450 CYP3A by St John’s Wort in the rat liver and intestine, Integrative Medicine Insights, 2: 73-81; 2007.

 

Ngo SNT, Williams DB, Cobiac L, Head RJ. Does garlic reduce risk of colorectal cancer? a systematic review. Journal of Nutrition, 137(10): 2264-2269; 2007.

 

Ngo SNT, McKinnon RA, Stupans I. Hepatic nuclear receptor PPARalpha in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): cloning and molecular characterization. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C Toxicology & Pharmacology, 146: 375-382; 2007.

 

Ngo SNT. 'When do differences in dissolution profiles predict clinical problems?'. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 32: 111-112; 2007.

 

Ngo SNT, McKinnon RA, Stupans I. Cloning and characterisation of liver CYP4A15 from the koala (Phascolarctos Cinereus). Gene, 376(1): 123-32; 2006.

 

Tong Y, Zhang R, Ngo SNT, Davey AK. Alteration of fexofenadine disposition in the isolated perfused rat liver following injection of bacterial lipopolycaccharide. Clinical Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 33: 685-689; 2006.

 

Ngo SNT, McKinnon RA, and Stupans I. Identification and cloning of two forms of liver peroxisomal fatty Acyl CoA Oxidases from the koala (Phascolarctos Cinereus).  Gene, 309: 91-99; 2003.

 

Ngo SNT, McKinnon RA, and Stupans I. The effects of Eucalyptus Terpenes on Microsomal Cytochrome P450 CYP4A, Peroxisomal Acyl CoA Oxidase (AOX) and Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Alpha (PPAR-a) in the Common Brush tail Possum Liver, Trichosurus vulpecular. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C Toxicology & Pharmacology. 127: 327-334; 2003.

 

Ngo SNT, McKinnon RA, and Stupans I. Cytochrome P450 4A, peroxisomal enzymes nicotinamide cofactors in koala liver. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C Toxicology & Pharmacology. 136(2): 165-173; 2000.

Professional Associations

Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT)

 

Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA)

 

ASCEPT Pharmacogenomics SIG - Committee member 

 

ASCEPT Education SIG - Committee member

 

Adelaide Pharmacology Group (APG)

Community Engagement

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Entry last updated: Friday, 20 Nov 2009