Dr. Turner's research involves Poxviruses, complex DNA viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm. Dr. Turner works with vaccinia, rabbitpox, and cowpox viruses, members of the orthopoxvirus group, as well as swinepox virus and myxoma virus. He studies the mechanisms by which poxvirus gene products neutralize host defenses. Dr. Turner can construct recombinant poxviruses carrying defined knockout and site-directed mutations by homologous recombination between genomic and plasmid DNA in infected cells. As well as understanding virus virulence, he is interested in poxviruses both as sources of genes of potential therapeutic use, and as vectors for delivering genes to mammalian cells.
Poxviruses are unique amongst viruses in that they encode serine proteinase inhibitors or serpins.
Turner's research focus is to find the natural target proteinases for the poxvirus serpins. Serpins resemble proteinase substrates and form tight complexes with the proteinases they inhibit. Turner is using a variety of genetic techniques to identify tight complexes between poxvirus serpins and their target proteinases. The goal is to identify the proteinases that are inhibited by these serpins in vivo. Jun 11, 1999.