BMC Seminar Monday, 6th July at 12:00 in Room 343, Læknagarður

Presenter: Dr Suzanne Mashtoub

Title: Emu Oil: A role in protection from inflammatory disorders of the intestine

Abstract: Intestinal inflammatory conditions have been at the forefront of medical research due to a lack of effective treatment options. These conditions include ulcerative colitis, NSAID-enteropathy and chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Novel therapeutic options are imperative to improve patient quality of life. The Emu is a flightless bird native to Australia. Emu Oil, extracted from Emu fat, was first used by Indigenous Australians to provide relief from pain, promote wound healing and to treat inflamed joints. Recently, we have demonstrated that orally-administered Emu Oil reduces inflammation and repairs the structure of the intestine in pre-clinical models of enteric inflammation.

Biography: Dr Suzanne Mashtoub is an Australian Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Assistant Professor at the Gastroenterology Department, Women’s and Children’s Hospital in South Australia. Dr Mashtoub has identified Emu Oil as a potential treatment for ulcerative colitis and a means to reduce the side-effects of cancer chemotherapy. She was awarded her PhD in Medicine (Physiology), with the prestigious Adelaide University Dean’s Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence. Dr Mashtoub’s Fellowship aims to determine whether orally-administered Emu Oil can reduce the severity of acute and chronic Crohn's and ulcerative colitis and prevent the development of colorectal cancer. Furthermore, Dr Mashtoub fulfils various academic roles including lecturing, tuition and supervision, has published 11 research articles, presented at 14 international and 27 national conferences and received over 30 awards and travel grants.