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Academic

Prof John Turner

John Turner
Job Title Contact Location
Professor of Biology  J dot G dot Turner at uea dot ac dot uk
Tel: 2192/2239  
Biology 1.46 
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Career

  • Norwich Research Park Professor for Biosciences 2009-present
  • Associate Dean for Enterprise and Engagement 2009-present
  • Head of School, School of Biological Sciences, 2003- 2008
  • External Fellow of the John Innes Centre, 2001- present
  • Professor of Plant Science, School of Biological Sciences, UEA, 2001- present
  • Reader in Biological Sciences, UEA; 2000
  • Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences, UEA 1994-2000
  • Lecturer in Biological Sciences, UEA,1976-1994
  • PhD in Plant Pathology, University of Missouri, 1973-1976
  • BSc Agricultural Botany, 1st Class Hons., University of Leeds,1968-1971; MSc in Pathology, University of Missouri, USA, 1971-1973

Key Research Interests

My research is devoted to discover mechanisms by which plants reduce the effects of environmental stress. In particular I am interested in the broad-spectrum defences used by plants to deter pests and pathogens. My current interest is to uncouple defence responses from growth inhibition- processes. It is generally accepted that plants face the dilemma to “grow or to defend”. For example, plants exposed to a variety of types of injury have activated defences, and they stop growing. At the other extreme, plants that grow to escape shading from neighbours have reduced capacity to defend. We also endeavour to use the knowledge gained from this work to enhance crop productivity. Our current work builds on previous work in which we have discovered the key regulators of jasmonate-induced defences. For this we made transgenic Arabidopsis lines containing luciferase as a reporter for the JA- and wound-inducible VSP promoter, mutagenised the seed, and selected the mutants, cev1-cev7 which had constitutive activation of the reporter, coi1 which failed to express the reporter, and sci1-sci5 that suppressed coi1. Characterisation of the genes defined by these mutants has identified key components of the JA signal-response pathway. We also identified a novel type of Resistance Gene, represented by RPW8.1 and RPW8.2, which confer resistance to a broad-spectrum of pathogens.


Life in our research group

At UEA I have supervised research projects carried out by postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, MSc students, technical staff and visitors continuously over the past 30 years or so, and it is a source of great pride for me to see that these researchers have gone on to positions of significant research leadership not only in the UK, but also in (alphabetical order) Algeria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, US, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. One of the reasons that these scientists have done so well is that my lab consistently attracts the very best students and researchers and consistently produces the very best research papers illustrating significant advances in knowledge. This is as true of the current cohort as it was of the very first. The secret? That is easy: excellent students and researchers, interesting and important research projects, excellent facilities, and a friendly and supportive working environment. I would like to say this is true of my lab only, but it is also true throughout the School. And this research excellence in depth in the School of Biological Sciences provides a vital, dynamic research environment that benefits everyone, but especially those in my group.

PhD Positions

Please email me to discuss PhD opportunities and projects within the School of Biological Sciences

Postdocs & Fellows

I am always happy to discuss possibilities for postdoctoral work and collaborations. Possible funding routes include applying for fellowships, e.g. EU Marie Curie fellowships, with me acting as sponsor, or grant applications with you as a named postdoc.


Jump to: Article
Number of items: 58.

Article

Adams, E and Turner, JG (2010) COI1, a jasmonate receptor, is involved in ethylene-induced inhibition of Arabidopsis root growth in the light. Journal of Experimental Botany, 61 (15). pp. 4373-4386. ISSN 0022-0957

Robson, F, Okamoto, H, Patrick, E, Harris, S-R, Wasternack, C, Brearley, CA and Turner, JG (2010) Jasmonate and Phytochrome - A signaling in Arabidopsis wound and shade responses are integrated through JAZ1 stability. Plant Cell, 22 (4). pp. 1143-1160.

Yang, X, Wang, W, Coleman, M, Orgil, U, Feng, J, Ma, X, Ferl, R, Turner, JG and Xiao, S (2009) Arabidopsis 14-3-3 lambda is a positive regulator of RPW8-mediated disease resistance. The Plant Journal, 60 (3). pp. 539-550. ISSN 09607412

Girling, RD, Madison, R, Hassall, M, Poppy, GM and Turner, JG (2008) Investigations into plant biochemical wound-response pathways involved in the production of aphid-induced plant volatiles. Journal of Experimental Botany, 59. pp. 3077-3085.

Zhang, Y. and Turner, J.G. (2008) Wound-induced endogenous jasmonates stunt plant growth by inhibiting mitosis. PLoS One, 3 (11). p. 3699.

Turner, JG (2007) Stress Responses: JAZ Players Deliver Fusion and Rhythm. Current Biology, 17 (19). R847-R849. ISSN 09609822

Wang, W, Devoto, A, Turner, JG and Xiao, S (2007) Expression of the Membrane-Associated Resistance Protein RPW8 Enhances Basal Defense Against Biotrophic Pathogens. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, 20 (8). pp. 966-976. ISSN 0894-0282

Adams, E, Devoto, A and Turner, JG (2007) Analysis of a novel ethylene-induced COI1-dependent signalling pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana. Advances in Plant Ethylene Research, 2. pp. 81-87.

Girling, R.D., Hassall, M. and Turner, J.G. (2007) Do turning biases by the 7-spot ladybird, Coccinella spetempunctata, increase their foraging efficiency? Behaviour, 144. pp. 143-163.

Mugford, S, Hawkes, V, Turner, JG and Chartrain, L (2007) The Arabidopsis transmissible wound signal. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 146 (4).

Girling, R.D., Hassall, Mark, Turner, John and Poppy, G.M. (2006) Behavioural responses of the aphid parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae to volatiles from Arabidopsis thaliana induced by Myzus persicae. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 120 (1). pp. 1-9.

Devoto, A and Turner, JG (2005) Jasmonate-regulated Arabidopsis stress signalling network. Physiologia Plantarum, 123 (2). pp. 161-172.

Devoto, A., Ellis, C., Magusin, A., Chang, H-S., Chilcott, C., Zhu, T. and Turner, J.G. (2005) Expression profiling reveals COI1 to be a key regulator of genes involved in wound- and methyl jasmonate-induced secondary metabolism, defence, and hormone interactions. Plant Molecular Biology, 58. pp. 497-513.

Xiao, S.Y., Calis, O., Patrick, E., Zhang, G.G., Charoenwattana, P., Muskett, P., Parker, J.E. and Turner, J.G. (2005) The atypical resistance gene, RPW8, recruits components of basal defence for powdery mildew resistance in Arabidopsis. Plant Journal, 42. pp. 95-110.

Xiao, S., Emerson, B.C., Ratanasut, K., Patrick, E., O'Neil, C., Bancroft, I. and Turner, J.G. (2004) Origin and maintenance of a broad-spectrum disease resistance locus in Arabidopsis. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 21. pp. 1661-1672.

Devoto, A. and Turner, J.G. (2003) Regulation of jasmonate-mediated plant responses in Arabidopsis. Annals of Botany, 92. pp. 329-337.

Xiao, S, Brown, S, Patrick, E, Brearley, C and Turner, JG (2003) Enhanced transcription of the Arabidopsis disease resistance genes RPW8.1 and RPW8.2 via a salicylic acid-dependent amplification circuit is required for hypersensitive cell death. Plant Cell, 15 (1). pp. 33-45. ISSN 1040-4651

Xiao, S.Y., Charoenwattana, P., Holcombe, L. and Turner, J.G. (2003) The Arabidopsis gene RPW8.1 and RPW8.2 confer induced resistance to powdery mildew diseases in tobacco. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, 16. pp. 289-294.

Devoto, A, Nieto-Rostro, M, Xie, DX, Ellis, C, Harmston, R, Patrick, E, Davis, J, Sherratt, L, Coleman, M and Turner, JG (2002) COl1 links jasmonate signalling and fertility to the SCF ubiquitin-ligase complex in Arabidopsis. Plant Journal, 32 (4). pp. 457-466.

Ellis, C., Karafyllidis, I., Wasternack, C. and Turner, J.G. (2002) The Arabidopsis mutant cev1 links cell wall signalling to jasmonate and ethylene responses. Plant Cell, 14. pp. 1557-1566.

Ellis, C., Karafyllidis, L. and Turner, J.G. (2002) Constitutive activation of jasmonate signalling in an Arabidopsis mutant correlates with enhanced resistance to Erysiphe cichoracearum, Pseudomonas syringae, and Myzus persicae. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, 15. pp. 1025-1030.

Ellis, C. and Turner, J.G. (2002) A conditionally fertile coi1 allele indicates cross-talk between plant hormone signalling pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds and young seedlings. Planta, 215. pp. 549-556.

Ellis, C., Turner, J.G. and Devoto, A. (2002) Protein complexes mediate signalling in plant responses to hormones, light, sucrose and pathogens. Plant Molecular Biology, 50. pp. 971-980.

Turner, J.G., Ellis, C. and Devoto, A. (2002) The jasmonate signal pathway. Plant Cell, 14. pp. 153-164.

Ellis, C. and Turner, J.G. (2001) The Arabidopsis mutant cev 1 has constitutively active jasmonate and ethylene signal pathways and enhanced resistance to pathogens. Plant Cell, 13. pp. 1025-1033.

Xiao, S.Y., Ellwood, S., Calis, O., Patrick, E., Li, T.X., Coleman, M. and Turner, J.G. (2001) Broad-spectrum mildew resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana mediated by RPW8. Science, 291 (5501). pp. 118-120. ISSN 0036-8075

Adam, L, Ellwood, S, Wilson, I, Saenz, G, Xiao, S, Oliver, RP, Turner, JG and Somerville, S (1999) Comparison of Erysiphe cichoracearum and E. cruciferarum and a Survey of 360 Arabidopsis thaliana Accessions for Resistance to These Two Powdery Mildew Pathogens. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, 12 (12). pp. 1031-1043. ISSN 0894-0282

Guven, K, Davis, JML and Turner, JG (1999) Geographical distribution of Erwinia salicis strains, the cause of watermark disease of willows. Forest Pathology, 29 (5). pp. 347-363. ISSN 1437-4781

Turner, JG (1998) ... response: COI1 indicates a role for selective proteolysis in jasmonate signal pathways. Trends in Plant Science, 3 (10). pp. 368-369. ISSN 13601385

Xie, D, Feys, BF, James, S, Nieto-Rostro, M and Turner, JG (1998) COI1: An Arabidopsis Gene Required for Jasmonate-Regulated Defense and Fertility. Science, 280 (5366). pp. 1091-1094. ISSN 00368075

Xiao, S, Ellwood, S, Findlay, K, Oliver, RP and Turner, JG (1997) Characterization of three loci controlling resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana accession Ms-0 to two powdery mildew diseases. The Plant Journal, 12 (4). pp. 757-768. ISSN 0960-7412

Penfold, CN, Bender, CL and Turner, JG (1996) Characterisation of genes involved in biosynthesis of coronafacic acid, the polyketide component of the phytotoxin coronatine. Gene, 183 (1-2). pp. 167-173. ISSN 03781119

Benedetti, C, Xie, D and Turner, JG (1995) Coi1-dependent expression of an Arabidopsis vegetative storage protein in flowers and siliques and in response to coronatine or methyl jasmonate. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 109 (2). pp. 567-572. ISSN 15322548

Liyanage, H, Penfold, D, Turner, JG and Bender, CL (1995) Sequence, expression and transcriptional analysis of the coronafacate ligase-encoding gene required for coronatine biosynthesis by Pseudomonas syringae. Gene, 153 (1). pp. 17-23. ISSN 03781119

Feys, BJF, Benedetti, CE, Penfold, CN and Turner, JG (1994) Arabidopsis Mutants Selected for Resistance to the Phytotoxin Coronatine Are Male Sterile, Insensitive to Methyl Jasmonate, and Resistant to a Bacterial Pathogen. The Plant Cell, 6 (5). p. 751. ISSN 10404651

Magrath, R, Bano, F, Morgner, M, Parkin, I, Sharpe, A, Lister, C, Dean, C, Turner, JG, Lydiate, D and Mithen, R (1994) Genetics of aliphatic glucosinolates. I. Side chain elongation in Brassica napus and Arabidopsis thaliana. Heredity, 72 (3). pp. 290-299. ISSN 0018-067X

Kenyon, L, Lewis, BG, Coddington, A, Harling, R and Turner, JG (1993) Pathogenicity mutants of the tomato leaf mould fungus Fulvia fulva (Cooke) Ciferri (syn. Cladosporium fulvum Cooke). Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 43 (3). pp. 173-191. ISSN 08855765

Kenyon, JS and Turner, JG (1992) The Stimulation of Ethylene Synthesis in Nicotiana tabacum Leaves by the Phytotoxin Coronatine. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 100 (1). pp. 219-224. ISSN 0032-0889

Turner, JG, Davis, JML and Guven, K (1992) Watermark disease of tree willows. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh B - Biological Sciences, 98. pp. 105-117.

Kenyon, J and Turner, JG (1990) Physiological changes in leaves during development of chlorosis caused by coronatine. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 37 (6). pp. 463-477. ISSN 08855765

Turner, JG (1988) Inhibition of photosynthesis in Nicotiana tabacum leaves treated with tabtoxin and its relation to pigment loss. Physiologia Plantarum, 74 (3). pp. 549-555. ISSN 0031-9317

Harling, R, Kenyon, L, Lewis, BG, Oliver, RP, Turner, JG and Coddington, A (1988) Conditions for Efficient Isolation and Regeneration of Protoplasts from Fulvia fulva. Journal of Phytopathology, 122 (2). pp. 143-146. ISSN 0931-1785

Hassall, M, Turner, JG and Rands, MRW (1987) Effects of terrestrial isopods on the decomposition of woodland leaf litter. Oecologia, 72 (4). pp. 597-604. ISSN 0029-8549

Turner, JG, Taha, RR and Debbage, J (1986) Effects of tabtoxin on nitrogen metabolism. Physiologia Plantarum, 67 (4). pp. 649-653. ISSN 0031-9317

Turner, JG (1986) Activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and glutamine synthetase in isolated mesophyll cells exposed to tabtoxin. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 29 (1). pp. 59-68. ISSN 08855765

Turner, JG and Hoffman, RM (1985) Effect of the polygalacturonase inhibitor from pea on the hydrolysis of pea cell walls by the endopolygalacturonase from Ascochyta pisi. Plant Pathology, 34 (1). pp. 54-60. ISSN 0032-0862

Turner, JG and Taha, RR (1984) Contribution of tabtoxin to the pathogenicity of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci☆. Physiologial Plant Pathology, 25 (1). pp. 55-69. ISSN 00484059

Bishop, GF and Davy, AJ (1984) Significance of Rabbits for the Population Regulation of Hieracium Pilosella in Breckland. The Journal of Ecology, 72 (1). pp. 273-284. ISSN 00220477

Davy, AJ and Bishop, GF (1984) Response of Hieracium Pilosella in Breckland Grass-Heath to Inorganic Nutrients. The Journal of Ecology, 72 (1). pp. 319-330. ISSN 00220477

Hoffman, RM and Turner, JG (1984) Occurrence and specificity of an endopolygalacturonase inhibitor in Pisum sativum. Physiologial Plant Pathology, 24 (1). pp. 49-59. ISSN 00484059

Gill, JA and Davy, AJ (1983) Variation and polyploidy within lowland populations of the Betula Pendula/B. Pubescens complex. New Phytologist, 94 (3). pp. 433-451. ISSN 0028-646X

Turner, JG and Ogundana, SK (1983) Production of yam cell wall-degrading enzymes by Botryodiplodia theobromae. Transactions of the British Mycological Society, 80 (1). pp. 163-166. ISSN 00071536

Hoffman, RM and Turner, JG (1982) Partial purification of proteins from pea leaflets that inhibit Ascochyta pisi endopolygalacturonase. Physiologial Plant Pathology, 20 (2). pp. 173-187. ISSN 00484059

Turner, JG and Debbage, JM (1982) Tabtoxin-induced symptoms are associated with the accumulation of ammonia formed during photorespiration. Physiologial Plant Pathology, 20 (2). pp. 223-233. ISSN 00484059

Jefferies, RL, Davy, AJ and Rudmik, T (1981) Population Biology of the Salt Marsh Annual Salicornia Europaea agg. The Journal of Ecology, 69 (1). pp. 17-31. ISSN 00220477

Turner, JG (1981) Tabtoxin, produced by pseudomonas-tabaci, decreases nicotiana-tabacum glutamine-synthetase invivo and causes accumulation of ammonia. Physiological Plant Pathology, 19 (1). pp. 57-67.

Davy, AJ (1980) Deschampsia Caespitosa (L.) Beauv. The Journal of Ecology, 68 (3). pp. 1075-1096. ISSN 00220477

Turner, JG (1980) Site of action of the wildfire toxin produced by pseudomonas-tabaci. Journal of Applied Bacteriology, 49 (3). R6.

This list was generated on Fri Apr 5 07:14:09 2013 BST.

External Activities and Indicators of Esteem

  • Easton College: Governor and member of the Corporation; Member of the Academic Curriculum Committee; Member of the Finance Committee
  • John and Pamela Salter Charitable Trust: Trustee
  • John Innes Centre: External Faculty Member

Administrative Posts/Responsibilities

  • Associate Dean for Enterprise and Engagement
  • Norwich Research Park Professor for the Biosciences
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