Overview
Background
I am an Associate Professor in the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBMS) at The University of Queensland, where I teach physiology and lead research that explores how cells respond to stress, injury and disease. My work aims to better understand the molecular and cellular processes that influence health and disease, with a particular focus on areas relevant to cancer, heart disease, neurological conditions and emerging cell-based therapies.
I completed my doctorate at the University of Western Australia in Biochemistry and Cell Biology, where I studied how heart cells respond to signals that can drive abnormal tissue growth. I then undertook postdoctoral training in Singapore at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, part of A*STAR, where my research expanded into understanding how the cytoskeleton, internal structures of cells, help control development and disease.
After returning to Australia, I was supported by national fellowships from the NHMRC and ARC, which enabled me to establish an internationally connected research program. My research brings together cell biology, imaging, computational approaches and emerging technologies to uncover how cells make critical decisions, including whether to survive or die under stress.
Alongside my research and teaching, I contribute to leadership within SBMS as Director of Research and support major research infrastructure initiatives across the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences (HMBS) as Academic Director of Research Infrastructure. I also serve on steering committees for UQ’s Viral Vector Core (VVC) and the Centre for Cardiovascular Health and Research (CCVHR), helping to strengthen the platforms and partnerships that support biomedical discovery and translation.
Availability
- Associate Professor Dominic Ng is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, University of Western Australia
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia
Research interests
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Cell Signalling
Protein phosphorylation, protein interactions, kinases, STAT transcription factors, microtubule-associated proteins.
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Molecular Cardiology
Cardiomyocyte growth, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac injury, cardioprotection
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Neural Development
Neural stem cells, microcephaly genes, neural migration, neural proliferation, neuronal cell death
Research impacts
My research contributes to society by improving understanding of how cells respond to stress, injury and disease, generating knowledge that can inform new approaches to diagnosis, prevention and treatment. By uncovering the molecular mechanisms that influence cell survival, tissue growth and disease progression, my work supports advances in areas of major health burden, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological conditions. Beyond academic discovery, this research helps strengthen Australia’s biomedical innovation pipeline by supporting translational partnerships, enabling platform technologies such as viral vectors and advanced imaging, and training the next generation of researchers with skills relevant to the health, biotechnology and medical research sectors.
Works
Search Professor Dominic Ng’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Metabolic functions for molecular chaperones and stress proteins in microcephaly
Morris, Matthew J. and Ng, Dominic C. H. (2025). Metabolic functions for molecular chaperones and stress proteins in microcephaly. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 82 (1) 418, 418. doi: 10.1007/s00018-025-05950-z
Featured
2024
Journal Article
Stress pathway outputs are encoded by pH-dependent clustering of kinase components
Didan, Yuliia, Ghomlaghi, Milad, Nguyen, Lan K. and Ng, Dominic C. H. (2024). Stress pathway outputs are encoded by pH-dependent clustering of kinase components. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 6614, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-50638-w
Featured
2021
Journal Article
Cep55 regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling is required for neocortical development and ciliogenesis
Rashidieh, Behnam, Shohayeb, Belal, Bain, Amanda Louise, Fortuna, Patrick R. J., Sinha, Debottam, Burgess, Andrew, Mills, Richard, Adams, Rachael C., Lopez, J. Alejandro, Blumbergs, Peter, Finnie, John, Kalimutho, Murugan, Piper, Michael, Hudson, James Edward, Ng, Dominic C. H. and Khanna, Kum Kum (2021). Cep55 regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling is required for neocortical development and ciliogenesis. PLoS Genetics, 17 (10) e1009334, 1-31. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009334
2026
Journal Article
Microcephaly-associated protein WDR62 supports purine metabolism by interacting with co-chaperone BAG2
Morris, Matthew J., Yeap, Yvonne Y., Edwards, Jonathon R., Chen, Chi, Paolino, Annalisa, Furness, Sebastian G. B., Millard, S. Sean, Pagan, Julia K., Fenlon, Laura R. and Ng, Dominic C. H. (2026). Microcephaly-associated protein WDR62 supports purine metabolism by interacting with co-chaperone BAG2. The EMBO Journal, 45 (7), 2157-2181. doi: 10.1038/s44318-026-00724-0
2026
Journal Article
Prenylation controls proliferation in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes
Batho, Christopher, Reid, Janice, Robinson, Harley, Szappanos, Henrietta Cserne, Devilee, Lynn, Hoyte, Sharon, Johnston, Rebecca, Ziegman, Rebekah, Hassan, Sarah, Soday, Lior, Fitzsimmons, Rebecca, Foster, Simon, Ng, Dominic, Tate, Edward, Porrello, Enzo, Parker, Benjamin, Mills, Richard and Hudson, James (2026). Prenylation controls proliferation in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Plus, 15 100613, 100613. doi: 10.1016/j.jmccpl.2025.100613
2026
Journal Article
WDR62 is required for proper proliferation and early differentiation of skeletal myoblasts
Ho, Uda Y., Shohayeb, Belal, Kamei, Hinako, Morris, Matthew J., Yeap, Yvonne Y., Richards, Dominic, Reichelt, Melissa E., Thomas, Walter G., Noakes, Peter G., Millard, S. Sean and Ng, Dominic C. H. (2026). WDR62 is required for proper proliferation and early differentiation of skeletal myoblasts. Communications Biology, 9 (1) 259, 259. doi: 10.1038/s42003-026-09537-7
2025
Conference Publication
Intracellular pH regulates kinase signalling
Ng, Dominic, Didan, Yuliia, Ghomlaghi, Milad and Nguyen, Lan (2025). Intracellular pH regulates kinase signalling. 2025 ASBMB Annual Meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 29 September - 1 October 2025. Bethesda, MD United States: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2025.110125
2024
Journal Article
PPTC7 antagonizes mitophagy by promoting BNIP3 and NIX degradation via SCFFBXL4
Nguyen-Dien, Giang Thanh, Townsend, Brendan, Kulkarni, Prajakta Gosavi, Kozul, Keri-Lyn, Ooi, Soo Siang, Eldershaw, Denaye N, Weeratunga, Saroja, Liu, Meihan, Jones, Mathew JK, Millard, S Sean, Ng, Dominic CH, Pagano, Michele, Bonfim-Melo, Alexis, Schneider, Tobias, Komander, David, Lazarou, Michael, Collins, Brett M and Pagan, Julia K (2024). PPTC7 antagonizes mitophagy by promoting BNIP3 and NIX degradation via SCFFBXL4. EMBO Reports, 25 (8), 3324-3347. doi: 10.1038/s44319-024-00181-y
2022
Journal Article
Impaired signaling for neuromuscular synaptic maintenance is a feature of Motor Neuron Disease
Ding, Qiao, Kesavan, Kaamini, Lee, Kah Meng, Wimberger, Elyse, Robertson, Thomas, Gill, Melinder, Power, Dominique, Chang, Jeryn, Fard, Atefeh T., Mar, Jessica C., Henderson, Robert D., Heggie, Susan, McCombe, Pamela A., Jeffree, Rosalind L., Colditz, Michael J., Hilliard, Massimo A., Ng, Dominic C. H., Steyn, Frederik J., Phillips, William D., Wolvetang, Ernst J., Ngo, Shyuan T. and Noakes, Peter G. (2022). Impaired signaling for neuromuscular synaptic maintenance is a feature of Motor Neuron Disease. Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 10 (1) 61, 61. doi: 10.1186/s40478-022-01360-5
2021
Journal Article
Cilia, centrosomes and skeletal muscle
Ng, Dominic C. H., Ho, Uda Y. and Grounds, Miranda D. (2021). Cilia, centrosomes and skeletal muscle. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22 (17) 9605, 9605. doi: 10.3390/ijms22179605
2021
Journal Article
TDP-43 mutation affects stress granule dynamics in differentiated NSC-34 motoneuron-like cells
Ding, Qiao, Chaplin, Justin, Morris, Matthew J., Hilliard, Massimo A., Wolvetang, Ernst, Ng, Dominic C. H. and Noakes, Peter G. (2021). TDP-43 mutation affects stress granule dynamics in differentiated NSC-34 motoneuron-like cells. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9 611601, 611601. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.611601
2021
Journal Article
WDR62 is required for centriole duplication in spermatogenesis and manchette removal in spermiogenesis
Ho, Uda Y., Feng, Chun-Wei Allen, Yeap, Yvonne Y., Bain, Amanda L., Wei, Zhe, Shohayeb, Belal, Reichelt, Melissa E., Homer, Hayden, Khanna, Kum Kum, Bowles, Josephine and Ng, Dominic C. H. (2021). WDR62 is required for centriole duplication in spermatogenesis and manchette removal in spermiogenesis. Communications Biology, 4 (1) 645, 1-14. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02171-5
2021
Journal Article
Pathophysiological significance of WDR62 and JNK signaling in human diseases
Zhi, Yiqiang, Zhou, Xiaokun, Yu, Jurui, Yuan, Ling, Zhang, Hongsheng, Ng, Dominic C. H., Xu, Zhiheng and Xu, Dan (2021). Pathophysiological significance of WDR62 and JNK signaling in human diseases. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9 640753, 640753. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.640753
2020
Journal Article
Centrosome reduction promotes terminal differentiation of human cardiomyocytes
Ng, Dominic C.H., Richards, Dominic K., Mills, Richard J., Ho, Uda Y., Perks, Hannah L., Tucker, Callum R., Voges, Holly K., Pagan, Julia K. and Hudson, James E. (2020). Centrosome reduction promotes terminal differentiation of human cardiomyocytes. Stem Cell Reports, 15 (4), 817-826. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.08.007
2020
Journal Article
The spindle-associated microcephaly protein, WDR62, is required for neurogenesis and development of the hippocampus
Shohayeb, Belal, Ho, Uda Y., Hassan, Halah, Piper, Michael and Ng, Dominic C. H. (2020). The spindle-associated microcephaly protein, WDR62, is required for neurogenesis and development of the hippocampus. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 8 549353, 549353. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2020.549353
2020
Journal Article
Elevated levels of Drosophila Wdr62 promote glial cell growth and proliferation through AURKA signalling to AKT and MYC
Shohayeb, Belal, Mitchell, Naomi, Millard, S. Sean, Quinn, Leonie M. and Ng, Dominic C.H. (2020). Elevated levels of Drosophila Wdr62 promote glial cell growth and proliferation through AURKA signalling to AKT and MYC. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Cell Research, 1867 (7) 118713, 118713. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118713
2020
Journal Article
The association of microcephaly protein WDR62 with CPAP/IFT88 is required for cilia formation and neocortical development
Shohayeb, Belal, Ho, Uda, Yeap, Yvonne Y., Parton, Robert G., Millard, Sean S., Xu, Zhiheng, Piper, Michael and Ng, Dominic C. H. (2020). The association of microcephaly protein WDR62 with CPAP/IFT88 is required for cilia formation and neocortical development. Human Molecular Genetics, 29 (2), 248-263. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddz281
2019
Journal Article
Pathogenic E2K mutation of doublecortin X (DCX) alters microtubule stabilisation and actin filament association
Moslehi, Maryam, Ng, Dominic C. H. and Bogoyevitch, Marie A. (2019). Pathogenic E2K mutation of doublecortin X (DCX) alters microtubule stabilisation and actin filament association. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 513 (3), 540-545. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.04.005
2019
Journal Article
Doublecortin X (DCX) serine 28 phosphorylation is a regulatory switch, modulating association of DCX with microtubules and actin filaments
Moslehi, Maryam, Ng, Dominic C. H. and Bogoyevitch, Marie A. (2019). Doublecortin X (DCX) serine 28 phosphorylation is a regulatory switch, modulating association of DCX with microtubules and actin filaments. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Cell Research, 1866 (4), 638-649. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.01.003
2019
Journal Article
Quantitative proteomic analyses of dynamic signalling events in cortical neurons undergoing excitotoxic cell death
Hoque, Ashfaqul, Williamson, Nicholas A., Ameen, S. Sadia, Ciccotosto, Giuseppe D., Hossain, M. Iqbal, Oakhill, Jonathan S., Ng, Dominic C. H., Ang, Ching-Seng and Cheng, Heung-Chin (2019). Quantitative proteomic analyses of dynamic signalling events in cortical neurons undergoing excitotoxic cell death. Cell Death and Disease, 10 (3) 213, 213. doi: 10.1038/s41419-019-1445-0
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Dominic Ng is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the role of WD40-Repeat Protein 62 (WDR62) in the regulation of heart function.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Wally Thomas, Dr Melissa Reichelt
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Doctor Philosophy
Tuning mitophagy in mitochondrial disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Julia Pagan
Completed supervision
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2026
Doctor Philosophy
A novel role for the microcephaly protein WDR62 in protein folding and purine metabolism
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sean Millard
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Optogenetic control of cell signalling dynamics and stress responses
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sean Millard
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of the microcephaly gene wd40-repeat protein 62 (wdr62) in brain growth and development
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sean Millard
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising the role of Dscam2 in synaptic vesicle recycling and memory formation in Drosophila.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sean Millard
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Defining the function of SCF-FBXO16 ubiquitin ligase at centrosomes and microtubules
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Samantha Stehbens, Associate Professor Julia Pagan
Media
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