Postdoctoral Researcher at the Symbiotic and Pathogenic Interaction group (@LabMichiels) and the Lab of Socioecology and Social Evolution (@TWenseleers), University of Leuven, Belgium 

I'm an evolutionary biologist with a general interest in understanding the factors that influence the tempo and mode of gene evolution. In layman's terms, I investigate what is possible evolutionary (genotype-phenotype map), what are the actual paths that evolution is able to take and —if there is a discrepancy between the two— what are the factors affecting their difference. To do this, I use a combination of experimental, phylogenetic and modelling approaches. As I am interested in the universal drivers of evolution, I prefer to work on a wide range of different organisms and mechanisms.

 I am always happy to talk about evolution, research in general, or science education. Outside of the lab, I enjoy tinkering with computers, gardening and spending time with our two children. Whether looking for a research collaborator or you would like to know more about my research, do not hesitate to reach out via email.

Full publication list
Ruelens P., de Visser J.A.G. (2021). Choice of antibiotic resistance pathway depends critically on initial antibiotic concentration. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (DOI: 10.1128/aac.00471-21)

Zhao, X., Illing, R., Ruelens, P., Bachmann, M., Cuniberti, G., de Visser, J.A.G. and Baraban, L., (2021). Coexistence of fluorescent Escherichia coli strains in millifluidic droplet reactors. Lab on a Chip, 21(8), pp.1492-1502. 
 - Lab on a Chip HOT Articles 2021, Inside back cover

Schenk, M. F.*, Zwart, M. P.*, Hwang, S., Ruelens, P., Severing, E., Krug, J., & de Visser, J. A. G. (2021). Population size mediates the contribution of high-rate and large-benefit mutations to parallel evolution. bioRxiv. 02.02.429281.

Ruelens, P., & de Visser, J. A. G. M. (2021). Clonal Interference and Mutation Bias in Small Bacterial Populations in Droplets. Genes, 12(2), 223. 

Zhang, Z.*, Coenen, H.*, Ruelens, P.*, Hazarika, R. R.*, Al Hindi, T., Oguis, G. K., Vandeperre, A., van Noort, V., Geuten, K. (2018). Resurrected Protein Interaction Networks Reveal the Innovation Potential of Ancient Whole-Genome Duplication. The Plant Cell, 30(11), 2741-2760. 
 - Blog post Plantae

Van De Velde, K., Ruelens, P., Geuten, K., Rohde, A., Van Der Straeten, D. Exploiting DELLA signaling in cereals (2017). Trends in Plant Science,  22 (10), 880-893.

Ruelens, P., Zhang, Z., Van Mourik, H., Maere, S., Kaufmann, K., & Geuten, K. (2017). The origin of floral organ identity quartets. The Plant Cell, 29(2), 229-242. 
-Press coverage: Knack (Belgian News Magazine)

Alhindi, T., Zhang, Z., Ruelens, P., Coenen, H., Degroote, H., Iraci, N., & Geuten, K. (2017). Protein interaction evolution from promiscuity to specificity with reduced flexibility in an increasingly complex network. Scientific Reports, 7, 44948. 

Sharma, N.*, Ruelens, P.*, Dhauw, M., Maggen, T., Dochy, N., Torfs, S., Kaufman K., Rhode A., Geuten, K. (2016). A Flowering locus C homolog is a vernalization-regulated repressor in Brachypodium and is cold-regulated in wheat. Plant physiology, pp-01161. 

Ruelens P., De Maagd R., Proost S., Theissen G., Geuten K.*, Kaufmann K.* 2013. FLOWERING LOCUS C in monocots and the tandem origin of angiosperm specific MADS-box genes. Nature Communications. nr.4 , ISSN 2041-1723 
-Recommended by F1000

Ruelens P., Geuten K. 2013. When paleontology and molecular genetics meet: a genetic context for the evolution of conifer ovuliferous scales.New Phytologist. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. nr.200 , pp. 10-12 , ISSN 1469-8137 

Ramon M., Ruelens P., Li Y., Sheen J., Geuten K., Rolland F. 2013. The hybrid Four-CBS-Domain KINβγ subunit functions as the canonical γ subunit of the plant energy sensor SnRK1. The Plant Journal. Blackwell Science nr.75 , pp. 11-25 , ISSN 0960-7412
-Recommended by F1000

Vekemans D. *, Proost S. *, Vanneste K., Coenen H., Viaene T., Ruelens P., Maere S., Van de Peer Y., Geuten K. 2012. Gamma paleohexaploidy in the stem-lineage of core eudicots: significance for MADS-box gene and species diversification. Molecular Biology and Evolution. University of Chicago Press nr.29 , pp. 3793-3806 , ISSN 0737-4038 

   *contributed equally