Dr Sue Turner

Senior Lecturer

Microbiology

Phone: 09-3737599 x82573
Rm 334D
Email: s.turner@auckland.ac.nz

Microbial Ecology Laboratory

Our research interests cover a broad range of topics within the field of microbial ecology. The unifying goal of our research is to better our understanding of the factors driving structure and function in natural microbial communities. The development of modern molecular methods has significantly aided our ability to study complex microbial systems, especially those that are dominated by organisms that are as-yet unable to be cultured in the laboratory. In the microbial ecology lab we combine the traditional methods of culture-based microbiology with modern molecular approaches such as proteome and genome analyses.

Specific research projects that are currently under way include:

s_turner_11. Identifying key bacterial communities & functions in freshwater biofilms The objective of this program is to determine the key characteristics of freshwater biofilm communities that support healthy stream macrofauna. (Funded by PGSF)
s_turner_22.Proteome analysis of bacterial biofilm development. The long term aim of this research is to use a combination of proteomic and genomic (microarray) methods to identify key genetic factors controlling biofilm development.
s_turner_33. Investigation of animal-prokaryote symbioses. This research aims to determine the occurrence, importance and speciation of endemic prokaryotic symbionts of NZ native fauna. Previous studies have focused on the investigation of the bacterial symbionts of marine herbivorous fishes. Both projects have been funded by the Marsden fund.

4. Development of molecular methods for microbial community analysis. The objective of this work is to develop improved methods for our microbial ecology studies. The research includes development of microarray, real-time PCR, proteome, DNA fingerprinting and DNA extraction methods.

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5. Investigation of microbial community dynamics in activated sludge treatment systems.

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Recent Publications

J Ayton, J Aislabie, G M Barker, D Saul and S Turner (2010). Crenarchaeota affiliated with group 1.1b are prevalent in coastal mineral soils of the Ross Sea region of Antarctica . Environmental Microbiology 12(3), 689-703, 2010.
http://tinyurl.com/yhrrvd9

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