Associate Professor Shyuan Ngo
Associate Professor

Shyuan Ngo

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Phone: 
+61 7 344 31133

Background

I completed my PhD in Neuroscience at UQ in 2009. After this, I undertook postdoctoral training in motor neuron disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MND/ALS) under the mentorship of neurologists at Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital. In 2012, I received a MND Research Australia Bill Gole Fellowship to develop a research focus to study metabolic dysfunction in MND/ALS. I started my independent research group at UQ in 2015, after receiving the Scott Sullivan MND Research Fellowship to lead a translational program to define the contribution of altered metabolic homeostasis to MND/ALS pathophysiology. In 2017, I relocated my laboratory to the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology to introduce the use of human stem cells for disease modelling into my reserach program. In 2020, I was awarded a FightMND Mid-Career Research Fellowship to transition into clinical trials.

My current research integrates studies in MND/ALS patients with studies in human-derived cell models (stem cell-derived neurons, human primary myosatellite cells, human myotubes) and mouse models of MND/ALS. I have served as lead investigator or co-investigator on several projects aimed at defining the mechanisms that drive MND/ALS and identifying therapeutic strategies for the disease. Projects have led to the expediting of clinical trials (NCT03506425; NCT04788745, NCT05959850). In 2021, I established the MND at UQ Collective to enhance national and international collaboration, and to facilitate community consultation to drive scientific and clinical discoveries in ALS and FTD (www.uq.edu.au/mnd-collective).

I have received invitations to contribute to high impact review articles (i.e., Brain, Nat Rev Neurol), and have received >20 invitations to speak at conferences including: 33rd International ALS/MND Symposium (2022, Plenary), 64th Japanese Society of Neurology Meeting (2023, Tokyo; Plenary), 3rd International Pan-Asian Consortium for Treatment and Research in ALS (PACTALS) Congress (2023, Kuala Lumpur), 18th International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases (2024, Perth).

Availability

Associate Professor Shyuan Ngo is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Cell metabolism Neurosciences

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Metabolic Dysfunction in Motor Neuron Disease/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

  • Biomarkers in Motor Neuron Disease/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

  • Neuromuscular Junction Formation, Maintenance and Stability

Search Professor Shyuan Ngo’s works on UQ eSpace

126 works between 2000 and 2025
All (126) Journal Article (85) Book Chapter (4) Conference Publication (34) Other Outputs (3)

121 - 126 of 126 works

2005

Conference Publication

Regulation of Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering and Dispersal

Ngo, S.T., Noakes, P.G. and Phillips, W.D (2005). Regulation of Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering and Dispersal. 6th Hunter Valley Cellular Biology Meeting, The Sebel-Kirkton Park, Pokolbin, NSW, Australia, 6-8 April, 2005.

Regulation of Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering and Dispersal

2005

Conference Publication

Differential Expression of MRNA in MuSK-Deficient Mice

Caudron, A. J., Lichanska, A. M., Ngo, S. T., Cooper, H. M. and Noakes, P. G. (2005). Differential Expression of MRNA in MuSK-Deficient Mice. ComBio 2005, Adelaide, SA Australia, 25 - 29 September 2005.

Differential Expression of MRNA in MuSK-Deficient Mice

2005

Conference Publication

Neuregulin modulates agrin-induced acetylcholine receptor clustering in myotubes

Ngo, S. T., Phillips, W. D., Lavidis, N. A. and Noakes, P. G. (2005). Neuregulin modulates agrin-induced acetylcholine receptor clustering in myotubes. ComBio 2005, Adelaide, 25-29 September, 2005. Canberra, ACT: The Society for Biochemisty and Molecular Biology.

Neuregulin modulates agrin-induced acetylcholine receptor clustering in myotubes

2004

Conference Publication

Agrin and Heregulin induction of acetylcholine receptor clustering in C2C12 myotubes

Ngo, S. T., Nguyen T. T., Phillips, W. D. and Noakes, P. G. (2004). Agrin and Heregulin induction of acetylcholine receptor clustering in C2C12 myotubes. Proceedings of the Australian Neuroscience Society, Melbourne, 2004.

Agrin and Heregulin induction of acetylcholine receptor clustering in C2C12 myotubes

2004

Journal Article

Neuregulin potentiates agrin-induced acetylcholine receptor clustering in myotubes

Ngo, S. T., Balke, C., Phillips, W. D. and Noakes, P. G. (2004). Neuregulin potentiates agrin-induced acetylcholine receptor clustering in myotubes. Neuroreport, 15 (16), 2501-2505. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200411150-00014

Neuregulin potentiates agrin-induced acetylcholine receptor clustering in myotubes

2000

Conference Publication

The regulatory role of neuregulin in acetylcholine receptor clustering at the neuromuscular synapse

Ngo, S. T., Phillips, W. D. and Noakes P. G. (2000). The regulatory role of neuregulin in acetylcholine receptor clustering at the neuromuscular synapse. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting 2000, New Orleans, Louisiana, 4-9 November, 2000. Online: Society for Neuroscience.

The regulatory role of neuregulin in acetylcholine receptor clustering at the neuromuscular synapse

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Deciphering the role of muscle-derived extracellular vesicles in ALS pathology
    Cure for MND Foundation - Discovery Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2027
    Using the spatiotemporal dynamics signature of molecular pathology to decipher disease heterogeneity in ALS
    Cure for MND Foundation - Impact Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Investigating alterations in axonal transport of diverse organelles in mouse and human models of MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Association
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Bio-inspired Nanoparticles for Mechano-Regulation of Stem Cell Fate
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Determining the dynamic association between mitochondria and the selective vulnerability of motor neurons in MND mice
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Targeted wearable robotic exoskeletons to improve movement in patients with ALS (Assistive Technology Grants)
    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALSA)
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    A blood-based nanotechnology to decipher the extracellular vesicle code in ALS
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    How does embryonic physiology shape the divergence of brain development?
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Australian Preclinical Research ALS (APRALS) Network: a roadmap for effective translation of therapeutics for sporadic MND (MNDRA and FightMND grant administered by University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Intramuscular allosteric agonism of purinergic P2X7 receptor as a pharmacological approach to enhance skeletal muscle regeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (FightMND administered by IRFMN)
    IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2031
    Scott Sullivan Research Program
    The MND and ME Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    From the nucleus to the powerhouse: investigating how TDP-43-mitochondrial interactions wreak havoc in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Untangling mechanisms of energy impairment across the ALS-FTD spectrum of disease
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Spatial Transcriptomics studies on human tissues
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Preclinical validation of macimorelin, a ghrelin mimetic, as treatment amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Dr Shyuan Ngo - AQ WRAP
    Advance Queensland Women's Research Assistance Program
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    MND in space and time: deciphering the spatio-temporal landscape of cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous drivers of motor neuron death in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Macimorelin as a treatment for ALS/MND
    Aeterna Zentaris GmbH
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Targeting NAT1 to improve metabolism and slow disease progression in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    N-acetyltransferase 1, a modifier of disease outcome in patients with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Targeting inflammasome-driven neuropathology and motor neuron death in MND using a clinically approved cancer drug.
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Targeting metabolic flexibility as a therapeutic approach for ALS (METALS)
    Cure for MND Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Tipping the Scales on MND: Preclinical testing of a compound with multiple actions to slow disease progression in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Investigating the immunometabolic nature of motor neurone disease (MND): a study linking metabolism, inflammation, and clinical outcomes in MND patients
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Development of biomarkers for loss of fat free mass and disease progression in patients with Motor Neurone Disease
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Fine tuning metabolic flux: Modulating substrate oxidation as a therapeutic strategy in motor neuron disease (MND)
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Safety and tolerability of Trimetazidine for the treatment of ALS
    Cure for MND Foundation - Drug Development Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    MEND MND - RBWH support
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Point of care assessment of venous acid-base balance and creatinine as markers for disease progression in patients with MND
    Cure for MND Foundation - Impact Grants
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Using single cell RNA-sequencing of induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurones to identify novel disease mechanisms
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Investigating endocrine causes and consequence of loss of appetite in MND patients
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    EATT for MND: Exposing mechanisms of impaired appetite regulation in MND
    Wesley Medical Research Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Cell-free DNA and ALS; insight into disease mechanisms and progression
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Targeting the metabolism of glycosphingolipids as a novel therapeutic strategy for MND (Cure for MND grant administered by the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health)
    The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Assessment of metabolic health in neurodegeneration: studies in motor neurone disease (MND)
    Wesley Medical Research Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Metabolic exploration in neurodegenerative disease (MEND): synergy between derangements in systemic and muscle metabolism in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Investigating the synergy between metabolic balance and the gut microbiome in motor neuron disease (MND).
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2016
    A state-of-the-art facility for simulataneous photo-stimulation, high speed imaging and electrophysiological recording of multiple neurons in brain tissue and living organisms
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Bioenergetic deficit in neurodegeneration: studies in motor neuron disease (MND)
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Instrumentation for the analysis of cellular and metabolic phenotypes
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Metabolic and gut dynamics in MND: Identifying novel strategies to meet energy needs in patients
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    In search of novel MND therapeutics: Investigating the role of selective KATP channel activators on cortical hyperexcitability, corticospinal circuit degeneration, and cortical bioenergetics
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2020
    The Scott Sullivan Research Fellowship
    The MND and ME Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Investigating the consequences of increased fat catabolism in motor neurone disease (MND)
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Investigating the causes and consequences of growth hormone dysfunction in motor neuron disease
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Investigating the role of fat metabolism in motor neuron disease
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Investigating the mechanisms underlying defective energy metabolism in motor neuron disease (MND)
    AAS - France-Australia Science Innovation Collaboration (FASIC) Program Early Career Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Bill Gole MND Postdoctoral Fellowship: Investigating the mechanisms underlying defective energy metabolism in motor neuron disease
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Shyuan Ngo is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Metabolic dysfunction in Motor Neuron Disease/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

    Motor Neuron Disease/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (MND/ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterised by the degeneration of both upper and lower alpha motor neurons. The irreversible loss of neurons in the brain and spinal cord results in progressive skeletal muscle paralysis and death within 2-5 years of diagnosis. There is no known cure for the disease, and treatments are of limited benefit. In the absence of a cure for MND/ALS, there is a pressing need to lessen the severity of symptoms associated with, and to slow the progression of disease, whilst enhancing quality of life.

    While the fundamental mechanisms that underlie the development of MND/ALS remains unknown, recent studies suggest that defective regulation of energy homeostasis may exacerbate the degenerative process throughout the course of disease. In the last 7 years, our team has made novel observations of metabolic dysfunction and altered metabolic flexibility in mouse models of MND, and paradigm-shifting discoveries that for the first time, highlight the impact of increased energy use (hypermetabolism) in patients with MND on disease progression and prognosis. In this time, our team have also successfully generated induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons (including CRISPR-Cas9 TDP-43 iPSCs with isogenic controls), and to our knowledge the only directly reprogrammed motor neurons from MMD patients in Australia.

    All PhD projects fall under a broader research program that investigates how altered glucose and fatty acid metabolism contributes to the progression of MND/ALS. Projects span the clinical and basic research settings, and involve working with patients living with MND, or mouse and human-derived models of MND. Projects focus on identifying the mechanisms that cause metabolic dysfunction in MND, and identifying treatments to alleviate metabolic perturbations.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Shyuan Ngo directly for media enquiries about:

  • Motor Neuron Disease

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