Suong Ngo

Dr Suong Ngo

Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology

School of Animal and Veterinary Science

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Welcome to my Adelaide Uni Researcher profile. I am a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology with 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.

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.            

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.                   

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2009 - ongoing Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2007 - 2009 Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutics Charles Darwin University, Darwin
    2004 - 2007 Research Fellow University of South Australia, Adelaide
    2003 - 2004 Research Associate University of South Australia, Adelaide

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2008 Teaching Award Lecturer of the Year Charles Darwin University Australia -
    2000 Scholarship Australian Postgraduate Award University of South Australia Australia -

2024, $1000, Conference Travel grant, School of Animal & Vet Science, University

2023, $5000, Collaborative Research Project grant, School of Animal & Vet Science, University 

2019,  $2000, Conference Travel grant, School of Animal & Vet Science, University

2018, $500, Publication Incentive award - Department highest quality publication, School of Animal & Vet Science, University

2011, $2000, Conference Travel grant, Faculty of Science, Enginering and Technology, University

2008, SNT Ngo, R Rumble, et al $72,000, CDU Allied Health Group, Infrastructure grant, University

2008, SNT Ngo, T Barnes, $10,000, CDU Project grant, University

2007, SNT Ngo, T Barnes, $7,800, CDU Project grant, University

2005, SNT Ngo, A Davey, A Evans,  $17,600, UniSA Australian Competitive Grant (ACG) Development Scheme, Project grant, University

2005, A Davey, SNT Ngo, R Milne, $18,500, UniSA Australian Competitive Grant (ACG) Development Scheme, Project grant, University

2004, AM Evans, SNT Ngo, $10,000, Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, UniSA, Pharmaceutical Industry Research grant

2004, SNT Ngo, $5000, Health Sciences Faculty/Division, UniSA, Project grant, University

2003, SNT Ngo, $5000, Health Sciences Faculty/Division, UniSA, Project grant, University 

I teach, coordinate and delivery of Pharmacology & Toxicology in both the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Vet Technology Programs in the School of Animal and Veterinary Science, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Information Technology (SET): Courses include:

Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology 7009RW: Course Coordinator 

Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Therapeutics II 2025RW: Course Coordinator

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Inhibition of cancer stem cells of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 by phenethyl isothiocyanate The University of Adelaide Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Other Full Time Belinda Bertram
    2019 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Cytotoxic Effects of Phenethyl Isothiocyanate on Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Cameron Russell
    2015 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Anticancer effects of allyl isothiocyanate on human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Sabah Butt
    2010 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Generic substitution in the treatment of epilepsy The University of Adelaide - Doctorate Full Time Rafie Ibrahim
    2008 - 2009 Principal Supervisor Use of in vitro dissolution testing to assess multiple generic medicines with a narrow therapeutic index Charles Darwin University - Doctorate Full Time Rabia Tabassum
  • Position: Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology
  • Phone: 83130660
  • Email: suong.ngo@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83137956
  • Campus: Roseworthy
  • Building: Corridor Building, floor Ground Floor
  • Room: G9
  • Org Unit: School of Animal and Veterinary Science
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