![Professor Mark Turner](/sites/default/files/profiles/1924.jpeg)
Overview
Background
Mark is a Professor of food microbiology and serves as a Deputy Head of the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability (since 2019). He leads a research team focused on food safety, quality, and fermentation. He is also a Deputy Lead of the Innovative Ingredients program at the Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), funded by the Australian Trailblazer university program scheme. After completing his PhD at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) under Prof Phil Giffard's supervision, he underwent postdoctoral training in Prof John Helmann's laboratory at Cornell University, USA (1999-2000), and at the CRC for Diagnostic Technologies, QUT (2000-01). He subsequently supported his position through a Dairy Australia Fellowship (2001-03) and an NHMRC New Investigator Grant (2004-06). In 2007, he joined UQ as an academic specialising in food microbiology.
Mark's research is currently funded by Agrifutures Australia, and he has received past funding from ARC Discovery, ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub, ARC Industry Transformation Training Centre, and ARC Linkage schemes. He has also been supported by Horticulture Innovation (HIA), Dairy Innovation Australia Ltd (DIAL), and the Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation (GGDF). His research primarily focuses on lactic acid bacteria applications, plant-based dairy alternative fermentations, precision fermentation and biocontrol food applications targeting pathogens like Campylobacter and Listeria monocytogenes. He has successfully supervised 20 PhD and MPhil students to completion and currently supervises 3 postdoctoral research fellows and 2 PhD students.
Mark contributes to teaching in food microbiology, food safety, and food biotechnology subjects at UQ. He is a Fellow of both the Australian Society for Microbiology (FASM) and the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (FAIFST), and serves on the editorial boards of mBio, the Journal of Food Protection, and Food Australia. He has received the 2017 Keith Farrer Award of Merit and the 2023 President's Award from the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) for service to the food industry and the Institute. Additionally, Mark holds the position of Secretary and Affiliate Council Delegate in the Australian Association for Food Protection (AAFP), the affiliate of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP).
Availability
- Professor Mark Turner is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology
Research interests
-
Biocontrol of pathogens and spoilage organisms on foods
This research area involves the isolation and identification of naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on fresh vegetables and meat which have antagonistic activity against bacterial pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter on ready-to-eat vegetables and meats, as well as spoilage fungi of dairy foods. This work is funded by Agrifutures.
-
Fermentation of plant-based dairy alternatives
This project involves screening plant-dervied lactic acid bacteria from our large collection (~600 isolates) for their abilities to acidify and enhance flavour and texture of plant-based substrates. These include nut-based milks. Identification and characterisation of lactic acid bacteria with potential will follow and initial steps in the development of novel fermented foods will be trialled. Techniques include acidification trials, 16s rDNA sequencing, whole genome sequencing, gene inactivation/overexpression, adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE), flavour volatile analysis (GC-MS) and texture analysis. This project is a collaboration with researchers at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).
Works
Search Professor Mark Turner’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Journal Article
Cyclic di-AMP oversight of counter-Ion osmolyte pools impacts intrinsic cefuroxime resistance in Lactococcus lactis
Pham, Huong Thi, Shi, Wen, Xiang, Yuwei, Foo, Su Yi, Plan, Manuel R., Courtin, Pascal, Chapot-Chartier, Marie-Pierre, Smid, Eddy J., Liang, Zhao-Xun, Marcellin, Esteban and Turner, Mark S. (2021). Cyclic di-AMP oversight of counter-Ion osmolyte pools impacts intrinsic cefuroxime resistance in Lactococcus lactis. mBio, 12 (2) e00324-21, 1-18. doi: 10.1128/mBio.00324-21
2021
Book Chapter
Isolation and evaluation of anti-Listeria Lactococcus lactis from vegetal sources
Ho, Van Thi Thuy, Dong, Anran, Lo, Raquel and Turner, Mark S. (2021). Isolation and evaluation of anti-Listeria Lactococcus lactis from vegetal sources. Listeria monocytogenes: methods and protocols. (pp. 243-257) edited by Edward M. Fox, Hélène Bierne and Beatrix Stessl. New York, NY, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0982-8_19
2021
Journal Article
Control of Listeria monocytogenes on ready-to-eat ham and fresh cut iceberg lettuce using a nisin containing Lactococcus lactis fermentate
Dong, Anran, Malo, Alesana, Leong, Mabel, Ho, Van T.T. and Turner, Mark S. (2021). Control of Listeria monocytogenes on ready-to-eat ham and fresh cut iceberg lettuce using a nisin containing Lactococcus lactis fermentate. Food Control, 119 107420, 107420. doi: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107420
2021
Conference Publication
Fermentation of seaweed protein-rich biomass to enhance palatability for Western consumers
Urlass, Saskia, Yates, Abbey, Dong, Anran, Winberg, Pia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Turner, Mark and Smyth, Heather (2021). Fermentation of seaweed protein-rich biomass to enhance palatability for Western consumers. 4th Asian Sensory and Consumer Research Symposium, Online, 5-7 December 2021.
2020
Journal Article
Exopolysaccharide produced by potential probiotic Enterococcus faecium MS79: characterization, bioactivities and rheological properties influenced by salt and pH
Ayyash, Mutamed, Stathopoulos, Constantinos, Abu-Jdayil, Basim, Esposito, Gennaro, Baig, Mohammad, Turner, Mark S., Baba, Ahmad Salihin, Apostolopoulos, Vasso, Al-Nabulsi, Anas and Osaili, Tareq (2020). Exopolysaccharide produced by potential probiotic Enterococcus faecium MS79: characterization, bioactivities and rheological properties influenced by salt and pH. LWT: Food Science and Technology, 131 109741, 109741. doi: 10.1016/j.lwt.2020.109741
2020
Journal Article
Future probiotic foods
Van Ho, T. T. and Turner, Mark S (2020). Future probiotic foods. Microbiology Australia, 41 (2), 58-60. doi: 10.1071/MA20017
2020
Journal Article
Updates on understanding of probiotic lactic acid bacteria responses to environmental stresses and highlights on proteomic analyses
Mbye, Mustapha, Baig, Mohd Affan, AbuQamar, Synan F., El-Tarabily, Khaled A., Obaid, Reyad S., Osaili, Tareq M., Al-Nabulsi, Anas A., Turner, Mark S., Shah, Nagendra P. and Ayyash, Mutamed M. (2020). Updates on understanding of probiotic lactic acid bacteria responses to environmental stresses and highlights on proteomic analyses. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 19 (3), 1110-1124. doi: 10.1111/1541-4337.12554
2020
Journal Article
Engineering Escherichia coli for propionic acid production through the Wood‐Werkman cycle
Gonzalez‐Garcia, R. A., McCubbin, T., Turner, M. S., Nielsen, L. K. and Marcellin, E. (2020). Engineering Escherichia coli for propionic acid production through the Wood‐Werkman cycle. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 117 (1), 167-183. doi: 10.1002/bit.27182
2020
Journal Article
The impact of commercial prebiotics on the growth, survival and nisin production by Lactococcus lactis 537 in milk
Almutairi, Batlah, Turner, Mark S., Fletcher, Mary T. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). The impact of commercial prebiotics on the growth, survival and nisin production by Lactococcus lactis 537 in milk. LWT- Food Science and Technology, 137 110356, 110356. doi: 10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110356
2020
Book Chapter
Osmoregulation via cyclic di-AMP signaling
Turner, Mark S., Vu, Thu Ngoc Minh, Marcellin, Esteban, Liang, Zhao-Xun and Pham, Huong Thi (2020). Osmoregulation via cyclic di-AMP signaling. Microbial cyclic di-nucleotide signaling. (pp. 177-189) edited by Shan-Ho Chou, Nicolas Guiliani, Vincent T. Lee and Ute Römling. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-33308-9_11
2019
Journal Article
Isolation, identification, and potential probiotic characterization of isolated lactic acid bacteria and in vitro investigation of the cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities in fermented sausage
Alkalbani, Nadia S., Turner, Mark S. and Ayyash, Mutamed M. (2019). Isolation, identification, and potential probiotic characterization of isolated lactic acid bacteria and in vitro investigation of the cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities in fermented sausage. Microbial Cell Factories, 18 (1) 188, 188. doi: 10.1186/s12934-019-1239-1
2019
Journal Article
Onward and [K+]upward: a new potassium importer under the spell of cyclic di-AMP
Pham, Huong Thi and Turner, Mark S. (2019). Onward and [K+]upward: a new potassium importer under the spell of cyclic di-AMP. Journal of Bacteriology, 201 (10) e00150-19. doi: 10.1128/jb.00150-19
2019
Journal Article
New insights into cooked rice quality by measuring modulus, adhesion and cohesion at the level of an individual rice grain
Yu, L., Witt, T., Rincon Bonilla, M., Turner, M. S., Fitzgerald, M. and Stokes, J. R. (2019). New insights into cooked rice quality by measuring modulus, adhesion and cohesion at the level of an individual rice grain. Journal of Food Engineering, 240, 21-28. doi: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2018.07.010
2018
Journal Article
Anti-staling of high-moisture starchy food: effect of hydrocolloids, emulsifiers and enzymes on mechanics of steamed-rice cakes
Ai, Jing, Witt, Torsten, Cowin, Gary, Dhital, Sushil, Turner, Mark S., Stokes, Jason R. and Gidley, Michael J. (2018). Anti-staling of high-moisture starchy food: effect of hydrocolloids, emulsifiers and enzymes on mechanics of steamed-rice cakes. Food Hydrocolloids, 83, 454-464. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2018.05.028
2018
Journal Article
The impact of variable high pressure treatments and/or cooking of rice on bacterial populations after storage using culture-independent analysis
Yu, L., Muralidharan, S., Lee, N. A., Lo, R., Stokes, J. R., Fitzgerald, M. A. and Turner, M. S. (2018). The impact of variable high pressure treatments and/or cooking of rice on bacterial populations after storage using culture-independent analysis. Food Control, 92, 232-239. doi: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2018.04.027
2018
Journal Article
Enhanced uptake of potassium or glycine betaine or export of cyclic-di-AMP restores osmoresistance in a high cyclic-di-AMP Lactococcus lactis mutant
Pham, Huong Thi, Nhiep, Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vu, Thu Ngoc Minh, Huynh, TuAnh Ngoc, Zhu, Yan, Huynh, Anh Le Diep, Chakrabortti, Alolika, Marcellin, Esteban, Lo, Raquel, Howard, Christopher B., Bansal, Nidhi, Woodward, Joshua J., Liang, Zhao-Xun and Turner, Mark S. (2018). Enhanced uptake of potassium or glycine betaine or export of cyclic-di-AMP restores osmoresistance in a high cyclic-di-AMP Lactococcus lactis mutant. PLOS Genetics, 14 (8) e1007574, e1007574. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007574
2018
Journal Article
Sustained Simultaneous Delivery of Metronidazole and Doxycycline From Polycaprolactone Matrices Designed for Intravaginal Treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pathak, Meenakshi, Coombes, Allan G. A., Ryu, BoMi, Cabot, Peter J., Turner, Mark S., Palmer, Cheryn, Wang, Dongjie and Steadman, Kathryn J. (2018). Sustained Simultaneous Delivery of Metronidazole and Doxycycline From Polycaprolactone Matrices Designed for Intravaginal Treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 107 (3), 863-869. doi: 10.1016/j.xphs.2017.09.033
2018
Journal Article
Characterisation of Lactococcus lactis isolates from herbs, fruits and vegetables for use as biopreservatives against Listeria monocytogenes in cheese
Ho, Van Thi Thuy, Lo, Raquel, Bansal, Nidhi and Turner, Mark S. (2018). Characterisation of Lactococcus lactis isolates from herbs, fruits and vegetables for use as biopreservatives against Listeria monocytogenes in cheese. Food Control, 85, 472-483. doi: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2017.09.036
2018
Journal Article
Modelling of thermal sterilisation of high-moisture snack foods: feasibility analysis and optimization
Ai, Jing, Witt, Torsten, Gidley, Michael J., Turner, Mark S., Stokes, Jason R. and Bonilla, Mauricio R. (2018). Modelling of thermal sterilisation of high-moisture snack foods: feasibility analysis and optimization. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 11 (5), 979-990. doi: 10.1007/s11947-018-2075-8
2018
Journal Article
The genetic basis underlying variation in production of the flavour compound diacetyl by Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains in milk
Lo, Raquel, Ho, Van Thi Thuy, Bansal, Nidhi and Turner, Mark S. (2018). The genetic basis underlying variation in production of the flavour compound diacetyl by Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains in milk. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 265, 30-39. doi: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2017.10.029
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Mark Turner is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing fermentations by smart starter culture selection
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Tailoring starter cultures for plant based dairy alternatives
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sangeeta Prakash
-
Doctor Philosophy
Mechanisms of osmoresistance in industrial Lactococcus cemoris
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin
Completed supervision
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
The ecology and persistence of Salmonella enterica in egg production
Principal Advisor
-
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of cyclic-di-AMP regulation in Lactococcus lactis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular mechanisms of cyclic di-AMP pool regulation in Lactococcus lactis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing the quality of ready-to-eat rice using high pressure processing
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bob Gilbert, Professor Jason Stokes
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic analysis of prophage activation and bacteriophage resistance in industrial Lactococcus lactis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation of c-di-AMP in Lactococcus lactis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular characterization of Bacillus licheniformis from dairy products
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Hilton Deeth
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular Identification and Characterisation of Dominant Aerobic Sporeforming Bacteria from Dairy Products
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Hilton Deeth
-
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
The Application of Spices and Herbs to Control Foodborne Pathogens in Ready to Eat Shrimp
Principal Advisor
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Modification of aroma and flavour in marine algae for future food applications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Heather Smyth
-
2022
Master Philosophy
Characterisation of a synbiotic product and its impact on human gastrointestinal microbiota
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen, Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Developing a new probiotic fermented milk with prebiotics for aflatoxin M1 detoxification
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mary Fletcher, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Lactobacillus plantarum as a biopreservative for cheese
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Development of high-moisture shelf-stable rice snacks
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Stokes, Professor Mike Gidley
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic Engineering of propionibacteria's Wood Werkman cycle in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lars Nielsen, Professor Esteban Marcellin
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Controlled delivery of antibacterials using polycaprolactone matrices for the intravaginal treatment of sexually transmitted infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kathryn Steadman
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Facilitating the Process of Controlling Starch Structure Through Starch-branching Enzymes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Godwin, Professor Bob Gilbert
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Polymeric matrix devices for controlled delivery of agents to prevent bacterial and viral infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Shaw
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Interspecies electron transfer in environmental and engineered syntrophic systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone, Dr Bernardino Virdis
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of surface properties and attachment of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli to abiotic surfaces
Associate Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
MICROENCAPSULATION OF PROBIOTICS AND PHARMACEUTICALS IN ALGINATE MICROBEADS BY A NOVEL IMPINGING TECHNOLOGY
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bhesh Bhandari
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Mark Turner directly for media enquiries about:
- Antimicrobials
- Bacillus
- Bacteria - in food
- Biocontrol
- Dairy microbiology
- Food bacteria
- food fermentation
- food outbreak
- Food poisoning outbreak
- Food production
- Food quality
- Food safety
- foodborne outbreak
- Lactic acid bacteria
- lactobacillus
- listeria
- outbreak investigation
- Probiotic bacteria
- salmonella
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: