![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
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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.
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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
2003
Journal Article
Peptide surface display and secretion using two LPXTG-containing surface proteins from Lactobacillus fermentum BR11.
Turner, M. S., Hafner, L. M., Walsh, T. and Giffard, P. M. (2003). Peptide surface display and secretion using two LPXTG-containing surface proteins from Lactobacillus fermentum BR11.. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69 (10), 5855-5863. doi: 10.1128/AEM.69.10.5855-5863.2003
2003
Journal Article
Cystine uptake prevents production of hydrogen peroxide by Lactobacillus fermentum BR11.
Hung, J., Cooper, D., Turner, M. S., Walsh, T. and Giffard, P. M. (2003). Cystine uptake prevents production of hydrogen peroxide by Lactobacillus fermentum BR11.. Fems Microbiology Letters, 227 (1), 93-99. doi: 10.1016/S0378-1097(03)00653-0
2001
Journal Article
Solid-phase amplification for detection of C282Y and H63D hemochromatosis (HFE) gene mutations
Turner, MS, Penning, S, Sharp, A, Hyland, VJ, Harris, R, Morris, CP and Van Daal, A (2001). Solid-phase amplification for detection of C282Y and H63D hemochromatosis (HFE) gene mutations. Clinical Chemistry, 47 (8), 1384-1389.
2001
Journal Article
Implementation of probes for tracing chromosome segments conferring barley yellow dwarf virus resistance
Zhang, W., Carter, M., Matsay, S., Stoutjesdijk, P., Potter, R., Jones, M. G. K., Kleven, S., Wilson, R. E., Larkin, P. J., Turner, M. and Gale, K. R. (2001). Implementation of probes for tracing chromosome segments conferring barley yellow dwarf virus resistance. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 52 (11-12), 1389-1392. doi: 10.1071/AR01033
2000
Journal Article
Mutations in multidrug efflux homologs, sugar isomerases, and antimicrobial biosynthesis genes differentially elevate activity of the sigma(X) and sigma(W) factors in Bacillus subtilis
Turner, M. S. and Helmann, J. D. (2000). Mutations in multidrug efflux homologs, sugar isomerases, and antimicrobial biosynthesis genes differentially elevate activity of the sigma(X) and sigma(W) factors in Bacillus subtilis. Journal of Bacteriology, 182 (18), 5202-5210. doi: 10.1128/JB.182.18.5202-5210.2000
2000
Journal Article
Analysis of promoter sequences from Lactobacillus and Lactococcus and their activity in several Lactobacillus species
McCracken, Andrea, Turner, Mark S., Giffard, Phil, Hafner, Louise M. and Timms, Peter (2000). Analysis of promoter sequences from Lactobacillus and Lactococcus and their activity in several Lactobacillus species. Archives of Microbiology, 173 (5-6), 383-389. doi: 10.1007/s002030000159
1999
Journal Article
Expression of Chlamydia psittaci- and human immunodeficiency virus-derived antigens on the cell surface of Lactobacillus fermentum BR11 as fusions to BspA
Turner, Mark S. and Giffard, Philip M. (1999). Expression of Chlamydia psittaci- and human immunodeficiency virus-derived antigens on the cell surface of Lactobacillus fermentum BR11 as fusions to BspA. Infection and Immunity, 67 (10), 5486-5489.
1999
Journal Article
The bspA locus of Lactobacillus fermentum BR11 encodes an L-cystine uptake system
Turner, M. S., Woodberry, T., Hafner, L. M. and Giffard, P. M. (1999). The bspA locus of Lactobacillus fermentum BR11 encodes an L-cystine uptake system. Journal of Bacteriology, 181 (7), 2192-2198.
1997
Journal Article
Identification and characterization of a basic cell surface-located protein from Lactobacillus fermentum BR11
Turner, M. S., Timms, P., Hafner, L. M. and Giffard, P. M. (1997). Identification and characterization of a basic cell surface-located protein from Lactobacillus fermentum BR11. Journal of Bacteriology, 179 (10), 3310-3316. doi: 10.1128/jb.179.10.3310-3316.1997
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Mark Turner is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Mechanisms of osmoresistance in industrial Lactococcus cemoris
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin
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Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing fermentations by smart starter culture selection
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Tailoring starter cultures for plant based dairy alternatives
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sangeeta Prakash
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The ecology and persistence of Salmonella enterica in egg production
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of cyclic-di-AMP regulation in Lactococcus lactis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular mechanisms of cyclic di-AMP pool regulation in Lactococcus lactis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal
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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
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation of c-di-AMP in Lactococcus lactis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic analysis of prophage activation and bacteriophage resistance in industrial Lactococcus lactis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular Identification and Characterisation of Dominant Aerobic Sporeforming Bacteria from Dairy Products
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Hilton Deeth
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular characterization of Bacillus licheniformis from dairy products
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Hilton Deeth
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
The Application of Spices and Herbs to Control Foodborne Pathogens in Ready to Eat Shrimp
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Modification of aroma and flavour in marine algae for future food applications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Heather Smyth
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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
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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
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Lactobacillus plantarum as a biopreservative for cheese
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nidhi Bansal
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Development of high-moisture shelf-stable rice snacks
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Stokes, Professor Mike Gidley
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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
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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
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Facilitating the Process of Controlling Starch Structure Through Starch-branching Enzymes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Godwin, Professor Bob Gilbert
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Polymeric matrix devices for controlled delivery of agents to prevent bacterial and viral infections
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nick Shaw
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Interspecies electron transfer in environmental and engineered syntrophic systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone, Dr Bernardino Virdis
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of surface properties and attachment of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli to abiotic surfaces
Associate Advisor
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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
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