Dr. Christian Rellstab

Publications

Publons //  Google Scholar  //  ResearchGate

ISI Publications in peer-reviewed journals

2019

• Mosca, Cruz, Gómez Garrido, Bianco, Rellstab, Brodbeck, Csilléry, Fady, Fladung, Fussi, Gömöry, González-Martínez, Grivet, Hansen, Heer, Kaya, Krutovsky, Kersten, Liepelt, Opgenoorth, Sperisen, Ullrich, Vendramin, Westergren, Ziegenhagen, Alioto, Gugerli, Heinze, Höhn, Troggio & Neale, 2019: A reference genome sequence for the European silver fir (Abies alba Mill.): a community-generated genomic resource. G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, 9, 2039-2049. DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400083
• Rellstab, Dauphin, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli (2019): Using transcriptome sequencing and pooled exome capture to study local adaptation in the giga-genome of Pinus cembra. Molecular Ecology Resources, 8, 536-551. DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12986

2018

• Sailer, Babst-Kostecka, Fischer, Zoller, Widmer, Vollenweider, Gugerli & Rellstab, 2018: Transmembrane transport and stress response genes play an important role in adaptation of Arabidopsis halleri to metalliferous soils. Scientific Reports, 8, 16085. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33938-2
• Csilléry, Rodríguez-Verdugo, Rellstab & Guillaume, 2018. Detecting the genomic signal of polygenic adaptation and the role of epistasis in evolution. Meeting Review. Molecular Ecology, 3: 606-612. DOI: 10.1111/mec.1449

2017

• Tsykun, Rellstab, Dutech, Sipos & Prospero, 2017: Comparative assessment of SSR and SNP markers for inferring the population genetic structure of the common fungus Armillaria cepistipes. Heredity, 119: 371-380. DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2017.48
• Rellstab, Fischer, Zoller, Graf, Tedder, Shimizu, Widmer, Holderegger & Gugerli, 2017: Local adaptation (mostly) remains local – Re-assessing environmental associations of climate-related candidate SNPs in Arabidopsis halleri. Heredity, 118: 193-201. DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2016.82
• Fischer, Rellstab, Leuzinger, Roumet, Gugerli, Shimizu, Holderegger & Widmer, 2017: Estimating genomic diversity and population differentiation – an empirical comparison of microsatellite and SNP variation in Arabidopsis halleri. BMC Genomics, 18: 69. DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3459-7

2016

• Rellstab, Zoller, Walthert, Lesur, Pluess, Graf, Bodénès, Sperisen, Kremer & Gugerli, 2016: Signatures of local adaptation in candidate genes of oaks (Quercus spp.) in respect to present and future climatic conditions. Molecular Ecology, 25: 5907-5924. DOI: 10.1111/mec.13889

• Rellstab, Bühler, Graf, Folly & Gugerli, 2016: Using joint multivariate analyses of leaf morphology and molecular-genetic markers for taxon identification in three hybridizing European white oak species (Quercus spp.). Annals of Forest Science, 73, 669-679. DOI: 10.1007/s13595-016-0552-7

2015

• Seppälä, Louhi, Karvonen, Rellstab & Jokela, 2015: Relative reproductive success of co-infecting parasite genotypes under intensified within-host competition. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 36: 450-455. DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.08.015
  
• Rellstab, Gugerli, Eckert, Hancock & Holderegger, 2015: A practical guide to environmental association analysis in landscape genomics. Invited review. Molecular Ecology, 24, 4348-4370. DOI: 10.1111/mec.13322
  

2013

• Rellstab, Zoller, Tedder, Gugerli & Fischer, 2013: Validation of SNP allele frequencies determined by pooled next-generation sequencing in natural populations of a non-model plant species. PLoS ONE, 8, e80422. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0080422
• Fischer, Rellstab, Tedder, Zoller, Gugerli, Shimizu, Holderegger & Widmer, 2013: Population genomic footprints of selection and associations with climate in natural populations of Arabidopsis halleri from the Alps. Molecular Ecology, 22, 5594–5607. DOI: 10.1111/mec.12521
• Rellstab, Karvonen, Louhi & Jokela, 2013: Genotype-specific vs. cross-reactive host immunity against a macroparasite. PLoS ONE, 8, e78427. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0078427
• Louhi, Karvonen, Rellstab & Jokela, 2013: Genotypic and phenotypic variation in transmission traits of a complex life cycle parasite. Ecology & Evolution, 3, 2116-2127. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.621

• Karvonen, Kristjánsson, Skúlason, Lanki, Rellstab & Jokela, 2013: Water temperature, not fish morph, determines parasite infections of sympatric Icelandic threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Ecology & Evolution, 3, 1507-1517. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.568
• Louhi, Karvonen, Rellstab, Louhi & Jokela, 2013: Prevalence of infection as a predictor of multiple genotype infection frequency in parasites with multiple-host life cycle. Journal of Animal Ecology. 82, 191-200. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2012.02028.x

2012

• Seppälä, Karvonen, Rellstab, Louhi & Jokela, 2012: Reciprocal interaction matrix reveals complex genetic and dose-dependent specificity among co-infecting parasites. American Naturalist. 180: 306-315. DOI: 10.1086/666985
• Karvonen, Rellstab, Louhi & Jokela, 2012: Synchronous attack is advantageous – mixed genotype infections lead to higher infection success in trematode parasites. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 279: 171-176. DOI:10.1098/rspb.2011.0879
  

2011

• Wirth, Girardclos, Rellstab & Anselmetti, 2011: The sedimentary response to a pioneer geo-engineering project: Tracking the Kander River deviation in the sediments of Lake Thun (Switzerland). Sedimentology. 58: 1737-1761. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3091.2011.01237.x
• Rellstab, Louhi, Karvonen & Jokela, 2011: Analysis of trematode parasite communities in fish eye lenses by pyrosequencing of naturally pooled DNA. Infection, Genetics, Evolution. 11: 1276-1286. DOI:10.1016/j.meegid.2011.04.018
• Rellstab, Keller, Girardclos, Anselmetti & Spaak, 2011: Anthropogenic eutrophication shapes the past and present taxonomic composition of hybridizing Daphnia in unproductive lakes. Limnology & Oceanography. 56: 292-302. DOI:  10.4319/lo.2011.56.1.0292

2010

• Louhi, Karvonen, Rellstab & Jokela, 2010: Is the population genetic structure of complex life cycle parasites determined by the geographic range of the most motile host? Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 10: 1271-1277. DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2010.08.013

2009

• Rellstab & Spaak, 2009: Lake origin determines Daphnia population growth under winter conditions. Journal of Plankton Research. 31: 261-271. DOI: 10.1093/plankt/fbn120

2008

• Filella, Rellstab, Chanudet & Spaak, 2008: Effect of the filter feeder Daphnia on the inorganic colloid particle size distributions in freshwaters. Water Research 42: 1919-1924. DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2007.11.021
  

2007

• Rellstab & Spaak, 2007. Starving with a full gut? Effect of suspended particles on the fitness of Daphnia hyalina. Hydrobiologia 2007 594: 131-139. DOI: 10.1007/s10750-007-9089-y
  
• Müller, Breitenstein, Bia, Rellstab & Kirchhofer, 2007. Bottom-up control of whitefish populations in ultra-oligotrophic Lake Brienz. Aquatic Sciences 69: 271-288. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-007-0874-5
  
• Rellstab, Maurer, Zeh, Bürgi & Spaak, 2007. Temporary collapse of the Daphnia population in turbid and ultra-oligotrophic Lake Brienz. Aquatic Sciences 69: 257-270. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-007-0872-7
• Anselmetti, Bühler, Finger, Girardclos, Lancini, Rellstab & Sturm, 2007. Effects of Alpine hydropower dams on particle transport and lacustrine sedimentation. Aquatic Sciences 69: 179-198. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-007-0875-4

2004

• Rellstab, Bürgi & Müller, 2004. Population regulation in coregonids: the significance of zooplankton concentration for larval mortality. Annales Zoologici Fennici 41: 281-290. Link PDF

Outreach publications

• Rellstab, Fischer, Csencsics, Gugerli, & Holderegger, R., 2017: Bedeutung der lokalen Anpassung in der Naturschutzgenetik. WSL Bericht 60: 31–37. PDF
• Gugerli & Rellstab, 2017. Genetische Forschung mit Misoxer Nadelbäumen. Terra Grischuna 1/2017: 28-31. PDF
• Gugerli, Frank, Rellstab, Pluess, Moser, Arend, Sperisen, Wohlgemuth & Heiri, 2016: Genetische Variation und lokale Anpassung bei Waldbaumarten im Zeichen des Klimawandels. In: Pluess A.R., Augustin S. & P. Brang (Red.) Wald im Klimawandel. Grundlagen für Adaptationsstrategien. Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU, Bern; Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL, Birmensdorf; Haupt, Bern, Stuttgart, Wien. 93-113. PDF
• Gugerli, Frank, Rellstab, Pluess, Moser, Arend, Sperisen, Wohlgemuth & Heiri, 2016: Variation génétique et adaptation locale des essences forestières sous le signe de changements climatiques. Dans: Pluess A.R., Augustin S. & P. Brang (Réd.) Forêts et changements climatiques. Éléments pour des stratégies d‘adaptation. Office fédérale de l‘environnement OFEV, Berne, Institut fédéral de recherches WSL, Birmensdorf. Haupt, Berne, Stuttgart, Vienne. 97-117. PDF
• Rellstab, Pluess & Gugerli, 2016: Lokale Anpassung bei Waldbaumarten: genetische Prozesse und Bedeutung im Klimawandel. Schweizerische Zeitung für Forstwesen. 167: 333–340. DOI: 10.3188/szf.2016.0333
• Jordi, Wüest, Bürgi, Müller, Jakob, Huggenberger, Bossard, Finger, Jaun, Rellstab, Spaak, Sturm, Breitenstein, Kirchhofer, Filella, Zeh, 2006. Brienzersee: Ein Ökosystem unter der Lupe. Public brochure. PDF
  

Reports

• Gugerli, Walthert, Sperisen & Rellstab, 2016: QuercAdapt: Zusammenhang zwischen ökologischen Gradienten und adaptiver genetischer Variation bei Eichen (Quercus robur, Q. petraea und Q. pubescens): Sind Herkunftsregionen heute und in Zukunft ökologisch berechtigt? Schlussbericht des Projekts QuercAdapt im Forschungsprogramm Wald und Klimawandel. doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000311151
• Rellstab & Spaak, 2006. Die Daphnien des Brienzersees – Unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Hochwasserjahres 1999. Final Report, Project Part D, Lake Brienz Project. PDF
  

Radio interviews

• "Anpassungsfähigkeit – Insekten reagieren extrem schnell auf Klima-Veränderungen". Forschung aktuell, Deutschlandfunk, 2017.

Blogs

• "Summer school on polygenic adaptation in Switzerland", 2017. Website of the GENTREE project.

About my science (selected)

• WSL News (Webpage), 2019: "Silver fir genome decoded: A tree species for the forest of the future". English Deutsch Français
• Wald und Holz, 2019: "Kresse hat sich genetisch an schwermetall-verseuchte Böden angepasst". PDF (German)
  
• Laborjournal, 2019: "Überleben in Polen". PDF (German)
• WSL News (Webpage), 2018: "Specific genes protect cress plants from heavy metals". English Deutsch Français
• Diploma thesis by Diana Coman in Advanced Studies in Applied Statistics, ETH Zürich, 2017: "Machine Learning Assisted Species Assignment in Oak Trees". Re-analysis of our morphological and genetic oak data. PDF (English)
• ProQuercus Newsletter 2/2016: "Genetische Marker unterstützen die Arterkennung" Deutsch Français
• WSL Diagonal, 2016: "Oak or oak? Genetics assists with species identification". PDF: English Deutsch Français
• The Molecular Ecologist (Blog), 2015: "Environmental association analyses: a practical guide for a practical guide". Link (English)
  
• Jahresbuch Uferschutzverband Thuner- und Brienzersee, 2014. "Sogar die Flöhe sind im Brienzersee einmalig". PDF (Deutsch)
  
• SNF – Horizonte, 2014. "Für immer verlorene Vielfalt". PDF (Deutsch)
  
• Academia News Mettler-Toledo, 2007. "UMX2 Micro Balance to Determine Fitness of Daphnia". PDF (English)
  
• On the cover of TREE (Trends in Ecology & Evolution), 2006. JPG

Education and positions

• 2013-present: Scientific staff member at WSL in Birmensdorf, Switzerland. Appointed senior researcher in November 2016.
• 2011-2013: Post-doctoral researcher at WSL in Birmensdorf, Switzerland
• 2008-2011: Post-doctoral researcher, Centre of Excellence in Evolutionary Research, Jyväskylä, Finland
• 2008: Post-doctoral researcher, Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland
• 2003-2007: PhD Student, Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland and ETH, Zürich, Switzerland. Collaborator in the interdisciplinary "Lake Brienz Project".
• 2002: Fish biologist, Eawag, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
• 2000-2002: IT specialist, Department of Architecture, ETH, Switzerland.
• 1999: Diploma work, Eawag, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
• 1997: Co-worker in the project “Mediterranean” of the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Mallorca, Spain.
• 1994-2000: Studying biology at ETH Zürich, Switzerland: Master in systematic and ecological biology, with a degree in natural sciences. Areas of specialization: Biosystematics, marine biology, water ecology, limnology, fish biology/ecology.

Acquired grants

• EVOLTREE Opportunity (2018): OAKID2 – Transferability and phylogenetic extension of species-diagnostic SNP markers in European white oak species. Role: PI.
• WSL internal project (2018): GENWOOD – Exploring the genomic basis of wood anatomy. Role: PI.
• Swiss Forest Lab Seed Money Grant (2017): EXTREME-ADAPT – Tolerance and adaptation of tree species to extreme climate events. Role: co-PI.
• EVOLTREE conference grant (2017). Travel contribution for IUFRO conference in Freiburg, Germany. Role: applicant.
• Swiss National Science Foundation conference grant (2017): Genomics of Polygenic Adaptation. Role: co-PI.
• WSL internal project (2016): METALINK – Linking environmental, genomic, and phenotypic information to study the adaptation of Arabidopsis halleri to metal-polluted soils. Role: co-PI.
• The Foundation for Polish Science, reintegration program, HOMING (2016): Adaptation of Arabidopsis halleri to metal-polluted soils: linking environmental, genomic, and phenotypic information. Role: co-applicant.
  

Selected talks

(most important recent activities)

• AForGeN Meeting, 2019, Mont Ventoux, France. Oral presentation. Dauphin, Rellstab, Zoller, Karger, Schmid, Brodbeck, Guillaume & Gugerli: Genomic vulnerability to climate warming in an Alpine tree species (Pinus cembra) with long generation time.
• AForGeN Meeting, 2018, Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Dauphin, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli: Using transcriptome sequencing and exome capture to study local adaptation of Pinus cembra at the timberline.
• Arabis Symposium, 2018, Köln, Germany. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Zoller, Tedder, Gugerli, Shimizu, Holderegger, Widmer & Fischer: Parallel local adaption to heterogeneous alpine environments in three distinct Brassicaceae species.

• Invited speaker at the Symposium "Genomic Basis of Climate Adaptation", 2018, Frankfurt, Germany. Rellstab: Towards predictive genomics – Adaptation of oaks (Quercus spp.) to present and future climatic conditions.
• Invited talk at University of Marburg (Kolloquium "Ökologie Naturschutz Biodiversität"), 2018, Germany. Rellstab: Towards predictive genomics – Adaptation of oaks (Quercus spp.) to present and future climatic conditions.
• Forum für Wissen 2017, Birmensdorf, Switzerland. Invited talk. Rellstab, Fischer, Csencsics, Gugerli, & Holderegger, R., 2017: Bedeutung der Genomik und lokalen Anpassung in der Naturschutzgenetik.
• IUFRO 125th Anniversary Congress 2017, Freiburg, Germany. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli: Using transcriptome sequencing and exome capture to study local adaptation of Pinus cembra at the colonization front.
• ESEB 2017, Groningen, Netherlands. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Zoller, Brodbeck & Gugerli: Using transcriptome sequencing and exome capture to study local adaptation of Pinus cembra at the colonization front.
• Invited talk at University of Zürich (BEES seminar), 2017, Switzerland. Rellstab & Gugerli: Towards predictive genomics – Adaptation of oaks (Quercus spp.) to present and future climatic conditions.
• Invited talk at the GDC Symposium 2016, Zürich, Switzerland. Rellstab, Zoller, Walthert, Lesur, Pluess, Graf, Bodénès, Sperisen, Kremer & Gugerli: Signatures of local adaptation in candidate genes of oaks (Quercus spp.) in respect to present and future climatic conditions.
• IUFRO Genomics and Forest Tree Genetics 2016. Oral presentation. Rellstab, Zoller, Walthert, Lesur, Pluess, Graf, Bodénès, Sperisen, Kremer & Gugerli: Signatures of local adaptation in candidate genes of oaks (Quercus spp.) in respect to present and future climatic conditions.
• Invited talk at the “Fachtagung Eichen” 2015, Hildisrieden, Switzerland. Rellstab & Gugerli: Genetische Prozesse hinter der lokalen Anpassung.
• Invited seminar at WSL, 2015, Birmensdorf, Switzerland. Rellstab, Zoller, Walthert, Lesur, Bodénès, Pluess, Sperisen, Kremer, Gugerli: QuercAdapt − Signatures of local adaptation in candidate genes of oaks (Quercus spp.) in respect to present and future climatic conditions.
• ESEB 2015, Lausanne, Switzerland. Poster (nominated for best poster award). Rellstab, Zoller, Walthert, Lesur, Bodénès, Pluess, Sperisen, Kremer, Gugerli: Landscape genomics of oaks (Quercus spp.) – Adaptive genetic variation in candidate genes in respect to present and future climatic conditions.
• SMBEBA 2015, Montpellier, France. Oral presentation: Rellstab, Fischer, Zoller, Graf, Tedder, Shimizu, Widmer, Holderegger & Gugerli: Local adaptation remains local - Environmental associations of climate-related candidate SNPs in Arabidopsis halleri using an enlarged and independent population set.
• Evolution 2014, Raleigh, USA. Oral presentation: Rellstab, Fischer, Zoller, Gugerli, Holderegger, Tedder, Shimizu & Widmer: Using pooled sequencing and whole-genome environmental association analyses to study local adaptation in three Alpine Brassicaceae species.
• Invited talk at the GDC Symposium 2014, Zürich, Switzerland. Rellstab, Zoller, Tedder, Gugerli & Fischer: Using pooled next-generation sequencing to determine SNP allele frequencies in natural populations of a non-model plant species.
• Invited seminar at INRA Centre Bordeaux-Aquitaine, 2013, France. Oral presentation. Rellstab: Adaptive genetic variation and adaptation to environmental heterogeneity in Alpine Brassicaceae species.

Supervision of students and hosting of guest scientists

• Fellowships: Lars Opgenoorth (2019)
• Guest scientists: Charalambos Neophytou (2018)
• PostDocs: Christian Sailer (2017), Benjamin Dauphin (2018-present)
• PhD students: Aude Rogivue (2014-2018, co-supervision), Katja-Riikka Louhi (2008-2011, co-supervision)
• Master students: Oliver Reutimann (2018-2019), Catherine Folly (2013, co-supervision), Marloes Caduff-Kinkel (2006, co-supervision), Christoph Tellenbach (2004, co-supervision)
• Guest students: Michaela Volekova (2015)
• Internships: Oliver Reutimann (2019), Andreas Bühler (2015), Catherina Folly (2014), Dino Wirz (2014), Karin Moosbrugger (2014), Luzia Oeschger (2014), Melody Schmid (2014)

Organization of symposia, workshops, and schools

• Co-organizer of the Symposium " Detecting the Genomic Signal of Polygenic Adaptation and the Role of Epistasis in Evolution" at the University of Zürich, Switzerland". 2017.
• Co-organizer of the Summer School on " Integrated methods to detect polygenic adaptation from genomic data" at WSL in Birmensdorf, Switzerland. 2017.
• Co-organizer of the Arabis Workshop 2013 in Birmensdorf, Switzerland.
• Co-organizer and webmaster of the 7th Symposium on Cladocera in Herzberg, Switzerland. 2005.

Reviews

Publons

• Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
• Aquatic Ecology
• Aquatic Sciences
• Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Chemosphere
• Environmental Chemistry Letters
• ERC Advanced Grant “Evolutionary, Population, and Environmental Biology”
• Estonian Research Council
• Evolutionary Applications
• Forests
• Frontiers in Plant Science
• Heredity
• Hydrobiologia
• Journal of Limnology
• Journal for Nature Conservation
• Journal of the North American Benthological Society
• Limnology & Oceanography
• Molecular Ecology
• Naturwissenschaften – The Science of Nature
• PLOS ONE
• Revista de Biologia Tropical
• Silvae Genetica
• Tree Genetics & Genomes

Member of

• Arabis Network
• European Society of Evolutionary Biologists (ESEB)
• EvolTree
• Network for Alpine Forest Genomics (AForGen)

• Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution (SMBE)

• Swiss Forest Lab