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
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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.
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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
2014
Journal Article
Antinociceptive effect of ethanol extract of leaves of Lannea coromandelica
Imam, Mohammad Zafar and Moniruzzaman, Md (2014). Antinociceptive effect of ethanol extract of leaves of Lannea coromandelica. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 154 (1), 109-115. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.03.032
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Md Moniruzzaman is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
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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
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