
Overview
Background
Dr Moniruzzaman is working as a Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the UQ Faculty of Medicine and PA Hospital of Metro South Health. His research focuses on the molecular pathobiology of inflammatory diseases, in particular, how mucosal epithelial cells and gut microbiota regulate immune function in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and contribute to different diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and functional GI symptoms called disorders of gut-brain interactions (DGBI). Dr Moniruzzaman received his PhD from The University of Queensland in 2020, where he studied how the interleukin(IL)-20 family of cytokines (IL-20, IL-22, and IL-24) regulate mucosal epithelial and immune function in inflammatory and infectious diseases, including ulcerative colitis (UC) and respiratory syncytial virus. After graduation, he received postdoctoral training in the IBD Lab at Mater Research Institute – UQ and Nanomedicine Lab at UQ School of Pharmacy, where he investigated the role of cannabinoid receptors in UC and colitis-associated colorectal cancer, development of cannabinoid formulations to treat UC, and involvement of autophagy gene Atg7 in 6-Thioguanin mediated protection from UC. He was awarded a highly competitive UQ Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2021-2022) and UQ School of Pharmacy Strategic Grant (2022) to study cannabinoids and Atg7 in UC, Translational Research Institute LINC Grant (2023) to study cannabinoids in palliative care of patients with advanced cancer, and Metro South Health SERTA (2024-2025) to study non-antibiotic treatment of SI dysbiosis in patients with DGBI. His current work focuses on how small intestinal dysbiosis controls the mucosal immune microenvironment and contributes to the pathogenesis of DGBI, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia (FD), and gastroparesis.
Availability
- Dr Md Moniruzzaman is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Pharmacy, Stamford University Bangladesh
- Masters (Research) of Pharmacy, Dongguk University
- Doctoral (Research) of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, The University of Queensland
Research interests
-
Immune regulation in mucosal inflammation
Intestinal epithelial cells produce various antimicrobial peptides and cytokines that contribute to immune regulation and barrier integrity. The gut microbiota also plays a critical role in mucosal immune regulation through its interaction with the immune system and helps shape its development and function. Dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbial composition, can lead to impaired immune regulation and contribute to mucosal inflammation. Understanding the mechanisms of immune regulation in mucosal inflammation is crucial for developing therapeutic interventions. Targeting immune cells and microbiota and promoting barrier integrity are potential strategies for restoring immune balance and alleviating mucosal inflammation-related diseases.
-
Intestinal microbial dysbiosis in Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI)
Gut-brain interactions refer to the bidirectional communication and connection between the gut (digestive system) and the brain (central nervous system). The gut-brain axis is a complex network involving various pathways and signalling mechanisms that facilitate communication between these two systems. The enteric nervous system, also known as the "second brain," is a network of neurons within the gut that can function independently and communicate with the central nervous system. The vagus nerve, a major nerve connecting the gut and the brain, plays a crucial role in transmitting signals and information between these two systems. Gut-brain interactions are involved in regulating a wide range of functions, including digestion, appetite, mood, stress response, and immune function. The gut microbiota, the collection of microorganisms residing in the gut, also influences gut-brain interactions through the production of neurotransmitters and other signalling molecules. However, any disturbance in communication could lead to a variety of symptoms and conditions, called disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), which include motility disturbance, visceral hypersensitivity, altered mucosal and immune function, altered gut microbiota, and altered CNS processing. Therefore, understanding and studying gut-brain interactions is essential for gaining insights into various disorders and developing potential treatments.
Works
Search Professor Md Moniruzzaman’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2024
Journal Article
Liver and pancreatic-targeted interleukin-22 as a therapeutic for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
Sajiir, Haressh, Keshvari, Sahar, Wong, Kuan Yau, Borg, Danielle J., Steyn, Frederik J., Fercher, Christian, Taylor, Karin, Taylor, Breten, Barnard, Ross T., Müller, Alexandra, Moniruzzaman, Md, Miller, Gregory, Wang, Ran, Fotheringham, Amelia, Schreiber, Veronika, Sheng, Yong Hua, Hancock, Janelle Louise, Loo, Dorothy, Burr, Lucy, Huynh, Tony, Lockett, Jack, Ramm, Grant A., Macdonald, Graeme A., Prins, Johannes B., McGuckin, Michael A. and Hasnain, Sumaira Z. (2024). Liver and pancreatic-targeted interleukin-22 as a therapeutic for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 4528, 1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-48317-x
2024
Journal Article
Cannabidiol - help and hype in targeting mucosal diseases
Moniruzzaman, Md, Janjua, Taskeen Iqbal, Martin, Jennifer H., Begun, Jakob and Popat, Amirali (2024). Cannabidiol - help and hype in targeting mucosal diseases. Journal of Controlled Release, 365, 530-543. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.11.010
Featured
2023
Journal Article
Interleukin-22 suppresses major histocompatibility complex II in mucosal epithelial cells
Moniruzzaman, Md, Rahman, M. Arifur, Wang, Ran, Wong, Kuan Yau, Chen, Alice C. -H., Mueller, Alexandra, Taylor, Steven, Harding, Alexa, Illankoon, Thishan, Wiid, Percival, Sajiir, Haressh, Schreiber, Veronika, Burr, Lucy D., McGuckin, Michael A., Phipps, Simon and Hasnain, Sumaira Z. (2023). Interleukin-22 suppresses major histocompatibility complex II in mucosal epithelial cells. The Journal of Experimental Medicine, 220 (11) e20230106. doi: 10.1084/jem.20230106
Featured
2023
Conference Publication
Enhancing the efficacy of cannabidiol using protein nanoparticles to treat inflammatory bowel disease
Moniruzzaman, M., Rewatkar, P., Begun, J. and Popat, A. (2023). Enhancing the efficacy of cannabidiol using protein nanoparticles to treat inflammatory bowel disease. 18th Congress of ECCO, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1-4 March 2023. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjac190.0167
Featured
2022
Journal Article
IL-20 activates ERK1/2 and suppresses splicing of X-box protein-1 in intestinal epithelial cells but does not improve pathology in acute or chronic models of colitis
Moniruzzaman, Md., Wong, Kuan Yau, Wang, Ran, Symon, Hamish, Mueller, Alexandra, Rahman, M. Arifur and Hasnain, Sumaira Z. (2022). IL-20 activates ERK1/2 and suppresses splicing of X-box protein-1 in intestinal epithelial cells but does not improve pathology in acute or chronic models of colitis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24 (1) 174, 174. doi: 10.3390/ijms24010174
Featured
2021
Journal Article
Facile synthesis of dendrimer like mesoporous silica nanoparticles to enhance targeted delivery of interleukin-22
Elshaer, Dana, Moniruzzaman, Md., Ong, Yi Theng, Qu, Zhi, Schreiber, Veronika, Begun, Jakob and Popat, Amirali (2021). Facile synthesis of dendrimer like mesoporous silica nanoparticles to enhance targeted delivery of interleukin-22. Biomaterials Science, 9 (22), 7402-7411. doi: 10.1039/d1bm01352a
Featured
2021
Journal Article
Gut microbiota shape the inflammatory response in mice with an epithelial defect
Wang, Ran, Moniruzzaman, Md, Wong, Kuan Yau, Wiid, Percival, Harding, Alexa, Giri, Rabina, Tong, Wendy Hui, Creagh, Jackie, Begun, Jakob, McGuckin, Michael A. and Hasnain, Sumaira Z. (2021). Gut microbiota shape the inflammatory response in mice with an epithelial defect. Gut microbes, 13 (1), 1-18. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2021.1887720
Featured
2020
Journal Article
The leaves of Bougainvillea spectabilis suppressed inflammation and nociception in vivo through the modulation of glutamatergic, cGMP, and ATP-sensitive K+ channel pathways
Ferdous, Afia, Janta, Rabir Ahmed, Arpa, Rubaiya Nushin, Afroze, Mirola, Khan, Mala and Moniruzzaman, Md. (2020). The leaves of Bougainvillea spectabilis suppressed inflammation and nociception in vivo through the modulation of glutamatergic, cGMP, and ATP-sensitive K+ channel pathways. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 261 113148, 113148. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113148
Featured
2019
Journal Article
Interleukin (IL)-22 from IL-20 Subfamily of cytokines induces colonic epithelial cell proliferation predominantly through ERK1/2 pathway
Moniruzzaman, Md., Wang, Ran, Jeet, Varinder, McGuckin, Michael A. and Hasnain, Sumaira Z. (2019). Interleukin (IL)-22 from IL-20 Subfamily of cytokines induces colonic epithelial cell proliferation predominantly through ERK1/2 pathway. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20 (14) 3468, 3468. doi: 10.3390/ijms20143468
Featured
2016
Journal Article
The ethyl acetate fraction from Physalis alkekengi inhibits LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators in BV2 cells and inflammatory pain in mice
Moniruzzaman, Md., Bose, Shambhunath, Kim, Young-Mi, Chin, Young-Won and Cho, Jungsook (2016). The ethyl acetate fraction from Physalis alkekengi inhibits LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators in BV2 cells and inflammatory pain in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 181, 26-36. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.01.023
2025
Journal Article
Decoding the Gut-Brain Axis: A Journey Towards Targeted Interventions for Disorders-of-Gut-Brain Interaction
Holtmann, Gerald, Moniruzzaman, M D and Shah, Ayesha (2025). Decoding the Gut-Brain Axis: A Journey Towards Targeted Interventions for Disorders-of-Gut-Brain Interaction. Digestive diseases (Basel, Switzerland), 1-14. doi: 10.1159/000543845
2025
Journal Article
Cannabidiol targets colorectal cancer cells via cannabinoid receptor 2, independent of common mutations
Moniruzzaman, Md, Wong, Kuan Yau, Janjua, Taskeen Iqbal, Martin, Jennifer H., Begun, Jakob and Popat, Amirali (2025). Cannabidiol targets colorectal cancer cells via cannabinoid receptor 2, independent of common mutations. ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science, 8 (2), 543-556. doi: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00644
2025
Conference Publication
P0112 Cannabidiol (CBD) targeting of colorectal cancer cells is mutation-independent and via CB2 receptor
Moniruzzaman, M., Janjua, T., Begun, J. and Popat, A. (2025). P0112 Cannabidiol (CBD) targeting of colorectal cancer cells is mutation-independent and via CB2 receptor. 20th Congress of ECCO, Berlin, Germany, 19-22 February 2025. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjae190.0286
2024
Conference Publication
Unveiling The Gut-brain Connectivity And Links With The Immune System: Utilising Self-reported Symptoms Or The Response To A Standardised Nutrient Challenge
Moniruzzaman, Md, Shah, Ayesha, Fairlie, Thomas, Noon, Ebony, Morrison, Mark, Talley, Nicholas J., Koloski, Natasha A., Jones, Michael P. and Holtmann, Gerald J. (2024). Unveiling The Gut-brain Connectivity And Links With The Immune System: Utilising Self-reported Symptoms Or The Response To A Standardised Nutrient Challenge. Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024, Washington, DC United States, 18-21 May 2024. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(24)01585-3
2024
Journal Article
Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Steinmetz, Jaimie D, Seeher, Katrin Maria, Schiess, Nicoline, Nichols, Emma, Cao, Bochen, Servili, Chiara, Cavallera, Vanessa, Cousin, Ewerton, Hagins, Hailey, Moberg, Madeline E, Mehlman, Max L, Abate, Yohannes Habtegiorgis, Abbas, Jaffar, Abbasi, Madineh Akram, Abbasian, Mohammadreza, Abbastabar, Hedayat, Abdelmasseh, Michael, Abdollahi, Mohammad, Abdollahi, Mozhan, Abdollahifar, Mohammad-Amin, Abd-Rabu, Rami, Abdulah, Deldar Morad, Abdullahi, Auwal, Abedi, Aidin, Abedi, Vida, Abeldaño Zuñiga, Roberto Ariel, Abidi, Hassan, Abiodun, Olumide, Aboagye, Richard Gyan ... Dua, Tarun (2024). Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet Neurology, 23 (4), 344-381. doi: 10.1016/s1474-4422(24)00038-3
2023
Conference Publication
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in chronic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies
Spannenburg, L., Shah, A., Thite, P., Fairlie, T., Moniruzzaman, M., Stuart, K. A., Koloski, N. A., Morrison, M., Jones, M. P. and Holtmann, G. J. (2023). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in chronic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies. 31st United European Gastroenterology Week 2023, Copenhagen, Denmark, 14-17 October 2023. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/ueg2.1246
2023
Journal Article
Exploring potential anti-inflammatory effects of medicinal cannabis
Gurgenci, Taylan, Kijanka, Gregor, Greer, Ristan, Huggett, Georgie, Good, Phillip, Moniruzzaman, Md and Hardy, Janet (2023). Exploring potential anti-inflammatory effects of medicinal cannabis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31 (12) 629, 629. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-08069-8
2023
Journal Article
Global, regional, and national incidence of six major immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: findings from the global burden of disease study 2019
GBD 2019 IMID Collaborators, Moni, Mohammad Ali, Moniruzzaman, Md and Pak, Anton (2023). Global, regional, and national incidence of six major immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: findings from the global burden of disease study 2019. EClinicalMedicine, 64 102193, 102193. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102193
2023
Journal Article
Global, regional, and national burden of rheumatoid arthritis, 1990-2020, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
GBD 2021 Rheumatoid Arthritis Collaborators and Moniruzzaman, Md (2023). Global, regional, and national burden of rheumatoid arthritis, 1990-2020, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet. Rheumatology, 5 (10), e594-e610. doi: 10.1016/S2665-9913(23)00211-4
2023
Conference Publication
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in chronic liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies
Spannenburg, L., Shah, A., Thite, P., Fairlie, T., Koloski, N., Moniruzzaman, M., Morrison, M., Jones, M. and Holtmann, G. (2023). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in chronic liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies. Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) Australian Gastroenterology Week (AGW) 2023, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 2-5 September 2023. Richmond, VIC Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Md Moniruzzaman is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Designer Nanoparticles for Oral and Targeted Delivery of Protein Therapeutics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jakob Begun, Professor Amirali Popat, Dr Rabina Giri
-
Doctor Philosophy
Designer Nanoparticles for Oral and Targeted Delivery of Protein Therapeutics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jakob Begun, Professor Amirali Popat
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Dr Md Moniruzzaman's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: