Email: c.e.turner@sheffield.ac.uk

Research profile and key clinical specialties

My research group focuses primarily on Group A Streptococcus (also known as Streptococcus pyogenes).

We use whole genome sequencing to try and understand populations of clinical isolates and apply this to models of human infection in the laboratory.

Currently we are focusing on developing of a 3D tissue-engineered model of human tonsil infection to understand host-pathogen interactions and key factors that drive the emergence of successful new variants of streptococci.

We also have collaborations with researchers in the Gambia and are looking at streptococcal skin infections.

Two key publications

• Turner CE, Holden MTG, Blane B, Horner C, Peacock SJ, Sriskandan S. (2019) The emergence of successful Streptococcus pyogenes lineages through convergent pathways of capsule loss and recombination directing high toxin expression. mBio 10:e02521-19
• Armitage EP, Senghore E, Darboe S, Barry M, Camara J, Bah S, Marks M, Cerami C, Roca A, Antonio M, Turner CE, de Silva TI (2019) High burden and seasonal variation of paedriatric scabies and pyoderma prevalence in The Gambia: a cross-sectional study. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 13:e0007801

Possible PhD projects

• Streptococcal infections of skin – development of skin infection models
• Host-pathogen interactions of Staphylococcus aureus and human tonsil/skin

More information

I am a Royal Society and Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellow. I am co-supervising a Wellcome Trust Global Health Clinical Fellow.

Keywords: Streptococcus, pyogenes, tonsil, skin, infection, Claire, Turner, Sheffield

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