Iain Searle

APrf Iain Searle

Associate Professor

School of Biological Sciences

College of Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Epigenetic and post-transcriptional gene regulation 

Luciferase sensor demonstrating RNA 5-methlycytosine regulates translation.
Leaf infiltrated with luciferase control and m5C sensor constructs. Left, white light. Right, control and m5C sensors.

 

Our research in plant and animal epigenetics and RNA modifications has been driven by a strong interest in understanding and elucidating the molecular mechanisms of how plants and animals adapt to environmental signalling and how speciation barriers evolve in plants. We use a combination of next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics and synthetic biology to describe and elucidate the function of these epigenetic components.

Epigenetics, broadly defined, refers to all genetic information not encoded in the DNA sequence, with the best-understood consequence of epigenetic modifications being the regulation of gene expression. Although gene transcription and protein synthesis is required for plant development, the full repertoire of epigenetic mechanisms underpinning biological adaptation and speciation barriers remain equivocal.

The majority of the genome is pervasively transcribed such that more than 90% of transcriptional activity is related to the production of various long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), which possess no or limited protein-coding capacity. Expansion of these transcriptionally active non-coding sequences in plant and animal genomes appears to have occurred primarily in higher multicellular organisms. We have identified thousands of novel lncRNAs transcribed in plants.

Furthermore, we have demonstrated RNA modifications, for example 5-methylcytosine (m5C) play an important role in extending the transcriptional space. Thus, both RNA modifications and lncRNAs represent attractive candidates for achieving context- and stimulus-specific epigenetic regulation of gene expression.

Honours, Masters, PhD and postdoctoral synthetic biology and biotechnology projects in epigenetics and bioinformatics are available. Email me at, iain.searle@adelaide.edu.au, for further information.

 

Developing sustainable biocontrols for agricultural and horticultural diseases

Biological control of grapevine crown gall disease by GTI 5813.
Biological control of grapevine crown gall disease by GTI-5813. Left, crown gall disease caused by a pathogenic crown gall strain and right, the pathogenic strain and GTI-5813.



 

20% to 40% of global crop production is lost to pests, and plant diseases cost the global economy over $200 billion annually. Crown gall disease caused by Agrobacterium and related spp. like Allorhizobium can significantly reduce the yield of infected trees, examples include almonds and walnuts, and young grapevines.

Crown gall disease in young grapevines is a global problem in nurseries and vineyards. Symptoms include gall formation at graft and wound sites, stunted growth and in later stages of the disease progression decline in vine vigour and yield. As there   is currently no cure, we are developing the next generation of sustainable, environmentally friendly, biocontrols with cutting-edge technologies like CRISPR and third-generation sequencing.

There are a range of biochemistry and synthetic biology projects available.

Honours, Masters, PhD and postdoctoral CRISPR and biotechnology projects in are available. Email me at, iain.searle@adelaide.edu.au, for further information.

 

Relevant papers from our group characterising grapevine crown gall pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains 

(1) Genome sequence of Grapevine Crown Gall pathogenic strain A. vitis K306 

(2) Genome sequence of Grapevine Crown Gall pathogenic strain A. vitis K377

(3) Genome sequence of nonpathogenic A. vitis F2/5

 

Relevant peer-reviewed research from our collaborators

(1) PhD thesis on Biological control of Crown Gall Disease in Australian Grape vine nurseries (2001)- of Dr. Alex Keegan. Former student of collaborator Prof. Allen Kerr 

(2) Detection of pathogenic A. vitis in grapevines (2016)- Collaborator Prof. Thomas Burr

(3) Biochemical characterisation of crown gall compounds (1984)- Collaborator Dr. Maarten Ryder

 

Sustainable crops for arid Australia

Common Vetch, Vicia sativa, legume
High protein common vetch field.

Australia is a hot, dry country and often water limits crop yields. We are developing Common Vetch, Vicia sativa, as a high protein, drought tolerant legume for arid Australia. We are accelerating common vetch improvement by; developing extensive genomic resources using a combination of second and third generation sequencing and bioinformatics, combining these large datasets with phenotyping information, and then using next generation breeding technologies (NBT), like CRISPR genome editing. We are working closely with the National Vetch Breeding program at SARDI (Waite campus) to further develop vetch.

Honours, Masters, PhD and postdoctoral CRISPR and biotechnology projects in are available. Email me at, iain.searle@adelaide.edu.au, for further information.

 

Pollination Mechanisms

Brassica flowering and honey bee
A canola flower displaying an outcrossing mechanism.

We are interested in how plants promote outcrossing to increase population fitness. We are using the model crop Brassica rapa to solve the molecular basis of an outcrossing mechanism. Conversely, these outcrossing mechanisms can decrease seed and crop yields and we are working with industrial partners to determine if we can increase crops yields.

Honours, Masters, PhD and postdoctoral ecology and industry projects in are available. Email me at, iain.searle@adelaide.edu.au, for further information.

 

 

Interested in joining our laboratory as an undergraduate placement student or postgraduate student? What to join our mentor programme? Ready to excel and be challenged with fascinating biological questions? Please don't hesitate to email me- iain.searle@adelaide.edu.au.

 

Publications

Our group's publications are available here.

 

Contact

Email

Twitter

 

Date Position Institution name
2018 - ongoing Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
2014 - 2018 ARC Future Fellow University of Adelaide
2009 - 2014 ARC QEII Fellow Australian National University

Language Competency
German Can speak and understand spoken

Date Institution name Country Title
2004 University of Queensland Australia PhD
1996 University of Queensland Australia B Ag Sci Hons

Date Title Institution Country
2007 - 2009 Wellcome Trust VIP Fellow University of Cambridge United Kingdom
2006 - 2007 Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow The Sainsbury Laboratory United Kingdom
2002 - 2006 Max Planck Postdoctoral Fellow Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research Germany

Year Citation
2025 Zhao, L., Ma, X., Ma, W., Wang, Z., Luo, D., Zhou, Q., . . . Liu, Z. (2025). MsPYL6 and MsPYL9 improves drought tolerance by regulating stomata in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). The Plant Journal, 122(6), e70265-1-e70265-16.
DOI Scopus5 WoS6 Europe PMC3
2025 Liu, W., Zhao, X., Li, Y., Zhou, Q., Searle, I. R., Xie, W., . . . Liu, Z. (2025). Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals the Genetic Architecture and Key Drought and Yield Related Genes in Common Vetch (Vicia sativa L.). Plant Biotechnology Journal, 1-16.
DOI
2025 Riley, S., Nguyen, V., Bhattacharjee, R., Ng, P. Q., Ritchie, T., Kamath, K. S., . . . Searle, I. R. (2025). TMT-based quantitative proteomic assessment of Vicia sativa induced neurotoxicity by β-cyano-L-alanine and γ-glutamyl-β-cyano-L-alanine in SH-SY5Y cells.. Scientific reports.
DOI
2024 Li, M., Pu, J., Jia, C., Luo, D., Zhou, Q., Fang, X., . . . Liu, Z. (2024). The genome of Vicia sativa ssp. amphicarpa provides insights into the role of terpenoids in antimicrobial resistance within subterranean fruits. Plant Journal, 119(6), 2654-2671.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2024 Xue, F., Zhang, J., Wu, D., Sun, S., Fu, M., Wang, J., . . . Liang, W. (2024). m<sup>6</sup>A demethylase OsALKBH5 is required for double-strand break formation and repair by affecting mRNA stability in rice meiosis.. The New phytologist, 244(6), 2326-2342.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC6
2023 Chmielowska-Bąk, J., Searle, I. R., Wakai, T. N., & Arasimowicz-Jelonek, M. (2023). The role of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications in plants exposed to non-essential metals. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, 1278185-1-1278185-14.
DOI Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC6
2023 Nguyen, V., & Searle, I. (2023). Keeping it cool.. eLife, 12, e86885.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2023 Safdar, L. B., Dugina, K., Saeidan, A., Yoshicawa, G. V., Caporaso, N., Gapare, B., . . . Fisk, I. D. (2023). Reviving grain quality in wheat through non‐destructive phenotyping techniques like hyperspectral imaging. Food and Energy Security, 12(5), 1-21.
DOI Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC4
2023 Safdar, L. B., Foulkes, M. J., Kleiner, F. H., Searle, I. R., Bhosale, R. A., Fisk, I. D., & Boden, S. A. (2023). Challenges facing sustainable protein production: Opportunities for cereals. Plant Communications, 4(6), 100716-1-100716-15.
DOI Scopus52 WoS41 Europe PMC20
2022 Xi, H., Grist, J., Ryder, M., & Searle, I. (2022). Complete Genome Sequence Data of the Grapevine Crown Gall inhibiting bacteria Allorhizobium vitis Strain F2/5.. Mol Plant Microbe Interact, 35(2), 174-176.
DOI Scopus2
2022 Nguyen, V., & Searle, I. R. (2022). An efficient root transformation system for recalcitrant Vicia sativa. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12, 781014-1-781014-11.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC2
2022 Xi, H., Nguyen, V., Ward, C., Liu, Z., & Searle, I. R. (2022). Chromosome-level assembly of the common vetch (Vicia sativa) reference genome. Gigabyte, 2022, 1-19.
DOI Scopus22 Europe PMC17
2022 Li, M., Zhao, L., Zhou, Q., Fang, L., Luo, D., Liu, W., . . . Liu, Z. (2022). Transcriptome and Coexpression Network Analyses Provide In-Sights into the Molecular Mechanisms of Hydrogen Cyanide Synthesis during Seed Development in Common Vetch (Vicia sativa L.). International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(4), 2275-1-2275-15.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC3
2022 Dixon, L. E., Pasquariello, M., Badgami, R., Levin, K. A., Poschet, G., Ng, P. Q., . . . Boden, S. A. (2022). MicroRNA-resistant alleles of HOMEOBOX DOMAIN-2 modify inflorescence branching and increase grain protein content of wheat. Science Advances, 8(19), 1-16.
DOI Scopus31 WoS30 Europe PMC22
2022 Riley, S., Lale, A., Nguyen, V., Xi, H., Wilkinson, K., Searle, I. R., & Fisk, I. (2022). Volatile profiles of commercial vetch prepared via different processing methods. Food Chemistry, 395, 15 pages.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC3
2021 David, R., Ng, P. Q., Smith, L. M., & Searle, I. R. (2021). Novel allele <i>elh</i> of the <i>UBP14</i> gene affects plant organ size via cell expansion in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana.</i>. microPublication biology, 2021.
DOI Europe PMC2
2021 Xi, H., Ryder, M., & Searle, I. R. (2021). Near-Complete Genome Assembly of the Grapevine Crown Gall Pathogen Allorhizobium vitis Strain K377. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 10(39), 1-2.
DOI Scopus2
2021 Xi, H., Nguyen, V., Ward, C., Liu, Z., & Searle, I. (2021). Chromosome-level assembly of the common vetch reference genome (Vicia sativa). GIGABYTE, 2022, 19 pages.
DOI WoS3 Europe PMC1
2021 Lim, S. M., Choo, J. M., Li, H., O'Rielly, R., Carragher, J., Rogers, G. B., . . . Muhlhausler, B. (2021). A high amylose wheat diet improves gastrointestinal health parameters and gut microbiota in male and female mice. Foods, 10(2), 1-18.
DOI Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC8
2021 Jia, C., Dong, D., Zhou, Q., Searle, I. R., & Liu, Z. (2021). Significant cell difference of pod ventral suture in shatter‐resistant and shatter‐susceptible common vetch accessions. Crop Science, 61(3), 1-11.
DOI Scopus8 WoS8
2020 Sinha, P., Singh, V. K., Saxena, R. K., Kale, S. M., Li, Y., Garg, V., . . . Varshney, R. K. (2020). Genome-wide analysis of epigenetic and transcriptional changes associated with heterosis in pigeonpea.. Plant biotechnology journal, 18(8), 1697-1710.
DOI Scopus54 WoS49 Europe PMC36
2020 Nguyen, V., & Searle, I. R. (2020). An efficient root transformation system for recalcitrant<i>Vicia sativa</i>.
DOI
2020 Xi, H., Ryder, M., & Searle, I. (2020). Complete genome sequence of Allorhizobium vitis strain K306, the causal agent of grapevine crown gall. Microbiologial Resource Annoucements, 9(29), e00565-20-1-e00565-20-3.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC2
2020 Nguyen, V., Riley, S., Nagel, S., Fisk, I., & Searle, I. R. (2020). Common vetch: a drought tolerant, high protein neglected leguminous crop with potential as a sustainable food source. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, 818-1-818-7.
DOI Scopus39 WoS36 Europe PMC22
2020 Xiao, L., Jiang, S., Huang, P., Chen, F., Wang, X., Cheng, Z., . . . Zhang, X. -M. (2020). Two Nucleoporin98 homologous genes jointly participate in the regulation of starch degradation to repress senescence in Arabidopsis. BMC Plant Biology, 20(1), 292-1-292-15.
DOI Scopus14 WoS17 Europe PMC16
2019 Lim, S. M., Page, A. J., Li, H., Carragher, J., Searle, I., Robertson, S., & Muhlhausler, B. (2019). Sexually Dimorphic Response of Increasing Dietary Intake of High Amylose Wheat on Metabolic and Reproductive Outcomes in Male and Female Mice.. Nutrients, 12(1), 14 pages.
DOI Scopus6 WoS4 Europe PMC3
2019 Guo, Q., Ng, P. Q., Shi, S., Fan, D., Li, J., Zhao, J., . . . Searle, I. R. (2019). Arabidopsis TRM5 encodes a nuclear-localised bifunctional tRNA guanine and inosine-N1-methyltransferase that is important for growth. PLoS ONE, 14(11), 1-26.
DOI Scopus23 WoS22 Europe PMC21
2019 David, R., Kortschak, R. D., & Searle, I. R. (2019). The root hair defective phenotype of Arabidopsis thaliana Pol IV subunit mutant nrpd1a-3 is associated with a deletion in RHD6. microPublication Biology, 2019, 1-4.
DOI Europe PMC3
2018 Wang, D., Gu, J., David, R., Wang, Z., Yang, S., Searle, I., . . . Timmis, J. (2018). Experimental reconstruction of double-stranded break repair-mediated plastid DNA insertion into the tobacco nucleus. The Plant Journal, 93(2), 227-234.
DOI Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC9
2017 Crisp, P., Ganguly, D., Smith, A., Murray, K., Estavillo, G., Searle, I., . . . Pogson, B. (2017). Rapid recovery gene downregulation during excess-light stress and recovery in Arabidopsis. The Plant Cell, 29(8), 1836-1863.
DOI Scopus79 WoS81 Europe PMC81
2017 Liu, L., Jiang, Y., Zhang, X., Wang, X., Wang, Y., Han, Y., . . . Chen, F. (2017). Two SUMO proteases SUMO PROTEASE RELATED TO FERTILITY1 and 2 are required for fertility in arabidopsis. Plant Physiology, 175(4), 1703-1719.
DOI Scopus35 WoS34 Europe PMC30
2017 David, R., Burgess, A., Parker, B., Li, J., Pulsford, K., Sibbritt, T., . . . Searle, I. (2017). Transcriptome-wide Mapping of RNA 5-Methylcytosine in Arabidopsis mRNAs and non-coding RNAs. The Plant cell, 29(3), 16.00751-1-16.0075-30.
DOI Scopus207 WoS197 Europe PMC191
2017 Wang, D., Qu, Z., Yang, L., Zhang, Q., Liu, Z., Do, T., . . . Zhu, J. (2017). Transposable elements (TEs) contribute to stress-related long intergenic noncoding RNAs in plants. Plant Journal, 90(1), 133-146.
DOI Scopus130 WoS116 Europe PMC97
2016 Ashby, R., Forêt, S., Searle, I., & Maleszka, R. (2016). MicroRNAs in Honey Bee Caste Determination. Scientific Reports, 6(1), 15 pages.
DOI Scopus118 WoS104 Europe PMC76
2016 Burgess, A., David, R., & Searle, I. (2016). Deciphering the epitranscriptome: a green perspective. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 58(10), 822-835.
DOI Scopus32 WoS32 Europe PMC28
2016 Chen, M., Xu, J., Devis, D., Shi, J., Ren, K., Searle, I., & Zhang, D. (2016). Origin and functional prediction of pollen allergens in plants. Plant Physiology, 172(1), 341-357.
DOI Scopus31 WoS29 Europe PMC19
2015 Burgess, A., David, R., & Searle, I. (2015). Conservation of tRNA and rRNA 5-methylcytosine in the kingdom Plantae. BMC Plant Biology, 15(1), 199-1-199-17.
DOI Scopus98 WoS101 Europe PMC90
2015 Liu, H., Searle, I., Mather, D., Able, A., & Able, J. (2015). Morphological, physiological and yield responses of durum wheat to pre-anthesis water-deficit stress are genotype-dependent. Crop and Pasture Science, 66(10), 1024-1038.
DOI Scopus75 WoS61
2015 Liu, H., Searle, I., Watson-Haigh, N., Baumann, U., Mather, D., Able, A., & Able, J. (2015). Genome-wide identification of microRNAs in leaves and the developing head of four durum genotypes during water deficit stress. PLoS One, 10(11), e0142799-1-e0142799-30.
DOI Scopus50 WoS44 Europe PMC32
2013 Cazzonelli, C., Vanstraelen, M., Simon, S., Yin, K., Carron-Arthur, A., Nisar, N., . . . Pogson, B. (2013). Role of the Arabidopsis PIN6 auxin transporter in auxin homeostasis and auxin-mediated development. PLoS One, 8(7), 1-14.
DOI Scopus75 WoS72 Europe PMC52
2012 Campoli, C., Drosse, B., Searle, I., Coupland, G., & von Korff, M. (2012). Functional characterisation of HvCO1, the barley (Hordeum vulgare) flowering time ortholog of CONSTANS. The Plant Journal, 69(5), 868-880.
DOI Scopus140 WoS131 Europe PMC111
2011 Gursanscky, N. R., Searle, I. R., & Carroll, B. J. (2011). Mobile microRNAs hit the target. Traffic, 12(11), 1475-1482.
DOI Scopus12 WoS11 Europe PMC9
2011 Burgess, A., & Searle, I. R. (2011). The clock primes defense at dawn. Immunology and Cell Biology, 89(6), 661-662.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC3
2011 Indrasumunar, A., Searle, I., Lin, M., Kereszt, A., Men, A., Carroll, B., & Gresshoff, P. (2011). Nodulation factor receptor kinase 1α controls nodule organ number in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr). The Plant Journal, 65(1), 39-50.
DOI Scopus124 WoS117 Europe PMC101
2011 Castro Marín, I., Loef, I., Bartetzko, L., Searle, I., Coupland, G., Stitt, M., & Osuna, D. (2011). Nitrate regulates floral induction in Arabidopsis, acting independently of light, gibberellin and autonomous pathways. Planta, 233(3), 539-552.
DOI Scopus168 WoS157 Europe PMC108
2010 Searle, I. R., Pontes, O., Melnyk, C. W., Smith, L. M., & Baulcombe, D. C. (2010). JMJ14, a JmjC domain protein, is required for RNA silencing and cell-to-cell movement of an RNA silencing signal in Arabidopsis. Genes and Development, 24(10), 986-991.
DOI Scopus101 WoS97 Europe PMC93
2010 Indrasumunar, A., Kereszt, A., Searle, I., Miyagi, M., Li, D., Nguyen, C. D. T., . . . Gresshoff, P. M. (2010). Inactivation of duplicated nod factor receptor 5 (NFR5) genes in recessive loss-of-function non-nodulation mutants of allotetraploid soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.). Plant and Cell Physiology, 51(2), 201-214.
DOI Scopus112 WoS107 Europe PMC88
2009 Huang, L., Jones, A. M. E., Searle, I., Patel, K., Vogler, H., Hubner, N. C., & Baulcombe, D. C. (2009). An atypical RNA polymerase involved in RNA silencing shares small subunits with RNA polymerase II. Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, 16(1), 91-93.
DOI Scopus116 WoS104 Europe PMC98
2007 Corbesier, L., Vincent, C., Jang, S., Fornara, F., Fan, Q., Searle, I., . . . Coupland, G. (2007). FT protein movement contributes to long-distance signaling in floral induction of Arabidopsis. Science, 316(5827), 1030-1033.
DOI Scopus1873 WoS1772 Europe PMC1471
2007 Smith, L. M., Pontes, O., Searle, I., Yelina, N., Yousafzai, F. K., Herr, A. J., . . . Baulcombe, D. C. (2007). An SNF2 protein associated with nuclear RNA silencing and the spread of a silencing signal between cells in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell, 19(5), 1507-1521.
DOI Scopus246 WoS228 Europe PMC214
2006 Searle, I., He, Y., Turck, F., Vincent, C., Fornara, F., Kröber, S., . . . Coupland, G. (2006). The transcription factor FLC confers a flowering response to vernalization by repressing meristem competence and systemic signaling in Arabidopsis. Genes and Development, 20(7), 898-912.
DOI Scopus757 WoS717 Europe PMC610
2006 Corbesier, L., Vincent, C., Searle, I., Fomara, F., & Coupland, G. (2006). Analysis of the expression pattern of FT protein during flowering. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY, 143(4), S166.
2006 SEARLE, I. (2006). The transcription factor FLC confers a flowering response to vernalization by repressing meristem competence and systemic signaling in Arabidopsis. Genes Dev., 20, 898-912.
2006 SEARLE, I. (2006). The transcription factor FLC confers a flowering response to vernalization by repressing meristem competence and systemic signaling in Arabidopsis. Genes Dev, 20, 898-912.
2006 SEARLE, I. (2006). The transcription factor FLC confers a flowering response to vernalization by repressing meristem competence and systemic signaling in Arabidopsis. Genes Dev., 20, 898-912.
2005 Berendzen, K., Searle, I., Ravenscroft, D., Koncz, C., Batschauer, A., Coupland, G., . . . Ülker, B. (2005). A rapid and versatile combined DNA/RNA extraction protocol and its application to the analysis of a novel DNA marker set polymorphic between Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes Col-0 and Landsberg erecta. Plant Methods, 1(1), 15 pages.
DOI Scopus68 WoS62 Europe PMC56
2004 Searle, I., & Coupland, G. (2004). Induction of flowering by seasonal changes in photoperiod. EMBO Journal, 23(6), 1217-1222.
DOI Scopus238 WoS220 Europe PMC160
2003 Searle, I. R., Men, A. E., Laniya, T. S., Buzas, D. M., Iturbe-Ormaetxe, I., Carroll, B. J., & Gresshoff, P. M. (2003). Long-distance signaling in nodulation directed by a CLAVATA1-like receptor kinase. Science, 299(5603), 109-112.
DOI Scopus472 WoS447 Europe PMC361
2003 Waldron, J., Peace, C. P., Searle, I. R., Furtado, A., Wade, N., Findlay, I., . . . Carroll, B. J. (2003). Randomly Amplified DNA Fingerprinting: A culmination of DNA marker technologies based on arbitrarily-primed PCR amplification. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2(3), 141-150.
DOI Scopus22 Europe PMC16
2003 SEARLE, I. R. (2003). Long-distance signaling in nodulation directed by a CLAVATA1-like receptor kinase. Science, 299, 109-112.
2003 SEARLE, I. R. (2003). Long-distance signaling in nodulation directed by a CLAVATA1-like receptor kinase. Science, 299, 109-112.
2002 May, K. J., Whisson, S. C., Zwart, R. S., Searle, I. R., Irwin, J. A. G., Maclean, D. J., . . . Drenth, A. (2002). Inheritance and mapping of 11 avirulence genes in Phytophthora sojae. Fungal Genetics and Biology, 37(1), 1-12.
DOI Scopus54 WoS45 Europe PMC42
2002 Waldron, J., Peace, C. P., Searle, I. R., Furtado, A., Wade, N., Findlay, I., . . . Carroll, B. J. (2002). Randomly amplified DNA fingerprinting: A culmination of DNA marker technologies based on arbitrarily-primed PCR amplification. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2002(3), 141-150.
DOI Scopus18
2001 SEARLE, I. R. (2001). Unknown Title. Towards the map-based cloning of nodulation genes from soybean.
1999 Schenk, G., Ge, Y., Carrington, L. E., Wynne, C. J., Searle, I. R., Carroll, B. J., . . . De Jersey, J. (1999). Binuclear metal centers in plant purple acid phosphatases: Fe-Zn in sweet potato and Fe-Zn in soybean. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 370(2), 183-189.
DOI Scopus151 WoS139 Europe PMC98

Year Citation
2021 Li, J., Wu, X., Do, T., Nguyen, V., Zhao, J., Ng, P. Q., . . . Searle, I. (2021). Quantitative and Single-Nucleotide Resolution Profiling of RNA 5-Methylcytosine. In Methods in Molecular Biology (Vol. 2298, pp. 135-151). Springer US.
DOI Scopus1
2019 Do, T., Qu, Z., & Searle, I. R. (2019). Purification and functional analysis of plant long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA). In J. Chekanova, & H. -L. Wang (Eds.), Plant long non-coding RNAs: methods and protocols (Vol. 1933, pp. 131-147). New York: Springer.
DOI Scopus5 Europe PMC6

Year Citation
2017 Yang, S. Y., Tate, M., Asenstorfer, R., Carragher, J., Paull, J., & Searle, I. (2017). Progress Towards Developing Low Toxin Common Vetch (Vicia sativa L.). In BIT’s 5th World Congress of Agriculture-2017. Shenyang, China.
2007 Searle, I. R., Mosher, R. A., Melnyk, C. W., & Baulcombe, D. C. (2007). Small RNAs hit the big time: Meetings. In New Phytologist Vol. 174 (pp. 479-482). England: WILEY.
DOI

Year Citation
2016 Liu, H., Able, A., Searle, I., & Able, J. (2016). Characterising water deficit stress-responsive microRNAs and their functional targets in different durum wheat genotypes. Poster session presented at the meeting of ComBio 2016. Brisbane, Australia..
2015 Liu, H., Searle, I., Watson-Haigh, N., Baumann, U., Mather, D., Able, A., & Able, J. (2015). Identification of differentially expressed miRNAs and their targets in durum wheat during water deficit stress. Poster session presented at the meeting of 9th International Wheat Conference. Sydney, Australia..
2015 David, R., Lim, H. M., & Searle, I. R. (2015). Identification of pla/ubp14, an Arabidopsis mutant that displays lengthened plastochron and larger organs. Poster session presented at the meeting of Annual Genetics Society of Australasia conference.

Year Citation
2016 Liu, H. (2016). Genome-wide characterisation of microRNAs and their target genes in different durum wheat genotypes under water limiting conditions. (PhD Thesis, University of Adelaide).

Year Citation
2015 Liu, H., Searle, I., Watson-Haigh., Baumann., Mather, D. E., Able, A. J., & Able, J. A. (2015). Genome-wide identification of differentially expressed microRNAs in leaves and the developing head of four durum genotypes during water deficit stress.

Year Citation
2025 Riley, S., Nguyen, V., Bhattacharjee, R., Ng, P. Q., Ritchie, T., Fisk, I., . . . Searle, I. (2025). TMT-based quantitative proteomic assessment of <i>Vicia sativa</i> induced neurotoxicity by β-cyano-L-alanine and γ-glutamyl-β-cyano-L-alanine in SH-SY5Y cells.
DOI
2025 Xi, H., Llamas, B., Nguyen, V., Li, M., Zhou, Q., Liu, Z., & Searle, I. (2025). Two routes from the Fertile Crescent led to the introduction of common vetch into Europe.
DOI
2025 Khanduja, J., Wu, X., Li, J., & Searle, I. (2025). The
<i>Arabidopsis</i>
CYSTM α 5’UTR increases protein production from transgenes in plants and bacteria.
DOI
2025 Safdar, L. B., Fisk, I. D., Pasquariello, M., Lale, A., Searle, I. R., Bhosale, R. A., . . . Boden, S. A. (2025). Mutations in <i>HOMEOBOX DOMAIN-2</i> improve grain protein content in wheat without significantly affecting grain yield and senescence.
DOI
2024 Wu, X., Keith Bullard, G., & Searle, I. (2024). A Quantitative Bioassay for Crown-Gall Tumourigenesis using Carrot Disks v1.
DOI
2018 Xu, K., Zhang, X. -M., Yu, G., Lu, M., Liu, C., Chen, H., . . . Fu, Y. -F. (2018). <i>FT/FD-GRF5</i> repression loop directs growth to increase soybean yield.
DOI
  • Competitive funding only listed below (since 2014)
  • ARC Linage project-Chief Investigators Searle et al., Industry partner SAGIT (2021-2025)
  • Yitpi foundation grant- Chief Investigators Searle and Nguyen (2020) 
  • SAGIT grant- Investigators Searle and Nagel (2020-2023)
  • ARC Discovery Grant DP190101303- Investigators Searle and Studholme (2019-2021)
  • Hermon Slade Foundation- Investigator Searle (2017-2020)
  • ACSRF Australia-China Joint Research Centre of Grains for Health- Investigators, Searle, et al (2016-2019)
  • ARC Future Fellowship FT130100525- Investigator Searle (2014-2018)
  • ASTE Travel Grant- Investigator Searle (2015)
  • ACSRF Australia-China Young Scientists Exchange Programme- Investigator Searle (2014)

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2024 Principal Supervisor Role of an allele involving in stamen orientation of oilseed plant flowers that causes higher seed yield Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jun Ming Loke
2024 Principal Supervisor Role of an allele involving in stamen orientation of oilseed plant flowers that causes higher seed yield Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jun Ming Loke
2023 Co-Supervisor Characterising Physiological and Biochemical Traits in Shiraz Grapevines of Varying Vine Age in Barossa Valley Geographical Indication Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Grace Puspita Prayogo
2023 Co-Supervisor Characterising Physiological and Biochemical Traits in Shiraz Grapevines of Varying Vine Age in Barossa Valley Geographical Indication Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Grace Puspita Prayogo
2022 Principal Supervisor Does RNA m5C Regulate Post-Transcriptional Gene Expression in Plants? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jasjyot Singh Khanduja
2022 Principal Supervisor Development of drought tolerant, high protein legume for arid Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Junyi Wang
2022 Principal Supervisor Development of drought tolerant, high protein legume for arid Australia Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Junyi Wang
2022 Principal Supervisor Does RNA m5C Regulate Post-Transcriptional Gene Expression in Plants? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jasjyot Singh Khanduja

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2020 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Construction of the Vicia sativa (common vetch) reference genome and exploration of genetic resources Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Hangwei Xi
2020 - 2025 Co-Supervisor Advancing understanding of the genetic basis of grain protein content in wheat through hyperspectral imaging and genomics Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Mr Luqman Bin Safdar
2019 - 2021 Principal Supervisor The role of RNA modifications in Arabidopsis thaliana growth and development Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Pei Qin Ng
2019 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Vetch as a New Protein Source for the Human Diet Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Mr Samuel Arthur George Riley
2018 - 2021 Principal Supervisor The Genetic Basis of Stamen Orientation - An Outcrossing Mechanism in the Brassicaceae Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mrs Jayashrini Sakunthala Madawala
2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Towards site-specific functional analysis of RNA N6-methyladenosine and 5-methylcytosine in Arabidopsis thaliana Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Huong Thi Thuy Ta
2017 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Development and application of genomic approaches for resolving complex traits among insect pests Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Christopher Michael Ward
2017 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Determining the molecular basis of beta-cyano-alanine and gamma-glutamyl-beta-cyano-alanine toxin accumulation in Vicia sativa Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Vy Hoang Thao Nguyen
2017 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Characterizing RNA 5-methylcytosine in A. thaliana: Functions and Regulation Pathways Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Xingyu Wu
2016 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Don't Cry for Me: Evolutionary and Functional Analysis of Two Rice Pollen Allergens, Ory s 1 and Ory s 12 Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Deborah Devis
2016 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Identification and functional analysis of RNA modifications in Arabidopsis thaliana and Mus musculus Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Jun Li
2016 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Investigating the role of RNA 5-methylcytosine on ribosomal and transfer RNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Jing Zhao
2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Identification and Functional Characterization of Long Noncoding RNAs Involved in Endosperm Development of Arabidopsis thaliana Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Quang Trung Do
2013 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Genome-wide Characterisation of microRNAs and their target genes in different durum wheat genotypes under water limiting conditions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Haipei Liu
2013 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Conservation and Function of RNA 5-methylcytosine in Plants Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Alice Louise Burgess

Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
2011 - ongoing Consulting Editor Frontiers in Genetics and Genomics - -

Date Office Name Institution Country
2018 - ongoing Australian Epigenetic Alliance- South Australian Representative Australian Epigenetic Alliance (AEpiA) Australia
2016 - 2017 Deputy Head of the Department of Genetics and Evolution School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide Australia
2015 - ongoing GSA South Australian Representative on Executive Genetics Society of AustralAsia Australia

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