Dr Graeme Turnbull

Senior Lecturer

School: Geography and Natural Sciences

Dr Graeme Turnbull is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Applied Sciences. His research is focused on collaboration with industry, and current projects include the development of novel methods for microbial diagnostics with bioMérieux, and a Knowledge Transfer Partnership in industrial biocatalysis with Sterling Pharma Solutions.

Campus Address

A111 Ellison Building
City Campus
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST

Email Graeme

Key Publications

Fluorogenic/chromogenic enzyme substrates constructed around the 2-amino-7-nitrofluorene core structure for the detection of aminopeptidase activities in clinically important microorganisms, Chalansonnet, V., Marsh, C., Orenga, S., Perry, J., Stanforth, S., Sykes, H., Truong, T., Turnbull, G., Twist, A., Zaytsev, A. 9 Jun 2026, In: Bioorganic Chemistry
Glycosides of fluorinated p-nitrophenol offer improved sensitivity for detection of β-galactosidase and β-glucuronidase in Escherichia coli and other Enterobacterales, Burton, M., Cains, C., Fenwick, D., Garcha, A., Preece, C., Saleem, S., Stanforth, S., Turner, H., Turnbull, G., Perry, J. 1 Jun 2026, In: Journal of Clinical Microbiology
Chromogenic hydroxyanthraquinone-based enzyme substrates for the detection of microbial β-D-galactosidase, β-D-glucuronidase and β-D-ribosidase, Burton, M., Garcha, A., Marrs, E., Perry, J., Stanforth, S., Turnbull, G., Turner, H. Dec 2025, In: RSC Advances
A concise synthesis of anti-bicyclo[6.1.0]nonyne carboxylic acid, Weir, M., Vaccari, B., Matthews, A., Turnbull, G., Kozhevnikov, V. 21 Nov 2024, In: RSC Advances
Chromogenic enzyme substrates based on [2-(nitroaryl)ethenyl]pyridinium and quinolinium derivatives for the detection of nitroreductase activity in clinically important microorganisms, Cellier-Rastit, M., Chalansonnet, V., James, A., Johnston, A., Orenga, S., Perry, J., Roger-Dalbert, C., Salwatura, V., Stanforth, S., Sykes, H., Truong, V., Turnbull, G. 14 Jul 2023, In: Journal of Materials Chemistry B
Beyond GalNAc! Drug delivery systems comprising complex oligosaccharides for targeted use of nucleic acid therapeutics, O'Sullivan, J., Muñoz-Muñoz, J., Turnbull, G., Sim, N., Penny, S., Moschos, S. 14 Jul 2022, In: RSC Advances
Evaluation of a Novel Chromogenic Medium for the Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Respiratory Samples from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis, Truong, T., Twist, A., Zaytsev, A., Marrs, E., Perry, A., Turnbull, G., Orenga, S., Stanforth, S., Perry, J. 10 May 2022, In: Microorganisms
Benzannulation via the use of 1,2,4-triazines extends aromatic system of cyclometallated Pt(II) complexes to achieve candle light electroluminescence, Pander, P., Turnbull, G., Zaytsev, A., Dias, F., Kozhevnikov, V. 1 Jan 2021, In: Dyes and Pigments
A Flexible Topo-optical Sensing Technology with Ultra-high Contrast, Wang, C., Wang, D., Kozhevnikov, V., Dai, X., Turnbull, G., Chen, X., Kong, J., Tang, B., Li, Y., Xu, B. 1 Dec 2020, In: Nature Communications
Fluorogenic L-alanylaminopeptidase substrates derived from 6-amino-2-hetarylquinolines and 7-amino-3-hetarylcoumarins and their potential applications in diagnostic microbiology, Cellier-Rastit, M., James, A., Orenga, S., Perry, J., Robinson, S., Turnbull, G., Stanforth, S. 15 May 2019, In: Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters

Professional Activity

Participating in a conference, workshop, ...: NEPIC Industry Academic Showcase 2025
Invited talk: “The synergy of exceptional graduates, ambitious industry, and wise old academics.” 2024
Participating in a conference, workshop, ...: Analytical Research Forum 2025 2024
Oral presentation: “Sepsis – the cost of antimicrobial resistance.” 2024
Invited talk: “Green Synthesis using Biocatalysis – the role of analytical science.” 2023
Invited talk: “Glowing Bugs and Costly Drugs – The rise of antimicrobial resistance.” 2023
Participating in a conference, workshop, ...: Enzyme Immobilisation - Industrial Opportunities & Implementation Challenges 2021
Participating in a conference, workshop, ...: Sterling Pharma Solutions Webinar 2021
Invited talk: Industrial Biocatalysis: Routes to Organic Synthesis 2019
Oral presentation: Green Synthesis of Dibasic Acids using Biocatalysis 2018

PGR Supervision

Audrey Perry Rapid Diagnostics In Clinical And Environmental Microbiology Start Date: 01/10/2021 End Date: 17/10/2025
Niamh Oliver ??Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Enzyme Substrates for use in Microbial Diagnostics.? Start Date: 01/10/2022
Bernardo Santos Velosa Synthesis of Novel Fluorogenic and Chromogenic Substrates for Bacterial Detection Start Date: 01/10/2024
Niamh Oliver Synthesis and evaluation of novel chromogenic and fluorogenic enzyme substrates for use in microbial diagnostics Start Date: 01/10/2022 End Date: 17/10/2025
Audrey Perry Rapid Diagnostics In Clinical And Environmental Microbiology Start Date: 01/10/2021
Bernardo Santos Velosa Synthesis of Novel Fluorogenic and Chromogenic Substrates for Bacterial Detection Start Date: 01/10/2024 End Date: 17/10/2025