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Professor Jeremy Searle
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Contact Details Department of Biology (Area 2) University of York PO Box 373 York YO10 5YW Tel: +44 (0)1904 328615 E-mail: jbs3@york.ac.uk Office: B/J007 |
Career Outline
| 1978 | BA | University of Oxford |
| 1983 | PhD | University of Aberdeen |
| 1984 | Post-doc | University of Oxford |
| 1985-1987 | Post-doc | University of East Anglia |
| 1988-1992 | Res Fellow | University of Oxford |
| 1992-1994 | Res Fellow | Department of Biology, University of York |
| 1994-2002 | Sen Lecturer | Department of Biology, University of York |
| 2002-2005 | Reader | Department of Biology, University of York |
| 2005- | Professor | Department of Biology, University of York |
Research Interests
The research of the laboratory is centred on major genetic variation within species, i.e. the subdivision of species into ‘races’. Using common shrews and house mice as models, the interaction of such races is studied together with its impact on gene flow, by field sampling, mapping with GIS, fertility analysis and molecular and chromosomal studies. The origin of races (and ultimately species) through geographic isolation is also a source of interest. Using molecular markers we analyse the spread over Eurasia of races that have originated in this way in glacial refugia, with studies of several species of small mammals (shrews, voles, mice). The colonisation history of island populations is also studied with molecular markers.
Discoveries
Our studies have demonstrated the importance of hybrid zones as a source of new races and potential sites of speciation in house mice and common shrews. Our molecular analysis of colonisation has revealed unexpected human introductions of small mammals, e.g. Scandinavian (Viking?) colonisation of Maderia by house mice. Our studies have also helped establish the role of central and eastern European glacial refugia on the natural colonisation of small mammals over the continent.
Some Recent Publications
Panithanarak T, Hauffe HC, Dallas JF, Glover A, Ward RG and Searle JB (2004) Linkage-dependent gene flow in a house mouse chromosomal hybrid zone. Evolution 58: 184-192
Kotlik P, Deffontaine V, Mascheretti S, Zima J, Michaux JR and Searle JB (2006) A northern glacial refugium for bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA 103: 14860-1486
Current Research Projects
- Speciation in house mice
Funding body: NERC
Professional Activities
- Editorial board: Cytogenetic and Genome Research
- Editorial board: Chromosome Research
- Editorial board: Acta theriologica
Lab Members
| Status | Name | Project |
| Post doctoral fellow | Dr Heidi Hauffe | Speciation in house mice |
| Student | Joana Pauperio | Colonisation history of field vole in Iberia |
| Student | Jerry Herman | Colonisation history of Scottish islands by small mammals |
| Student | Sofia Gabriel | Colonisation history of the house mouse in Madeira, the Azores and the Canaries |
| Student | Eleanor Jones | Colonisation history of the house mouse in the northern Atlantic |
| Student | Rodrigo Vega | Colonisation history of the pygmy shrew |
| Student | Neil Harper | Genetic diversity and range shifts in butterflies |
| Technician | Mabel Giménez (40% FTE) | Speciation in house mice |