Adelaide wife murder accused faces court

An academic from the University of Adelaide has faced court charged with murdering his scientist wife.

Serik Eliby, 53, was charged with murder after police found the body of 55-year-old Ainur Ismagul at their home in Klemzig on Monday night.

Dr Ismagul worked alongside Eliby at the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, researching genetically modified crops.

A University of Adelaide spokesperson said staff were shocked and saddened to lose one of their colleagues under terrible circumstances.

"Ainur was a respected and well-liked member of our research community at the Waite (campus) who will be greatly missed," she said.

"Our immediate priority is to her team and to ensure they have the support they need at this very difficult time."

Eliby appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday and did not apply for bail.

He was remanded in custody to face court again on April 28.