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From pattern to function: eco-evolutionary representations of complex spatial structure for the new era of spatial biology

Award Number: R35GM147445
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/27/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2027

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From pattern to function: eco-evolutionary representations of complex spatial structure for the new era of spatial biology - Through innovations in both imaging techniques and the ability to process these images at scale, high- resolution imaging is transforming the eld of molecular biology, yet its power has yet to be fully utilized for asking questions in evolutionary biology. Just as demographic surveys can reveal more or less densely populated areas where, for example, a contagious disease may spread at di erent rates, these imaging datasets can help us quantify cellular and molecular patterns of spatial variation and understand how this variation a ects rates of evolution, by impeding or accelerating the spread of new variants through the population. My research program, at the interface of computer vision and evolutionary biology, is exploring how molecular and cellular communities spatially organize, and how the resulting spatial topologies can be generated, stably maintained and further shape the outcome of the evolutionary process. What are spatial topologies that act to amplify the selective advantage of new mutations in the pop- ulation, versus structures that dampen the force of selection and slow down rates of evolution? We build theoretical evolutionary models that explore how the rate of evolution is shaped by complex spatial struc- ture and nd the relevant spatial features for evolutionary ampli cation or selective suppression. We link these theoretical population genetic models to high-resolution imaging datasets and study the resulting spatial architectures. This allows us to go beyond simply describing patterns of cellular or molecular spatial variation, and enables exploration of the generative processes, as well as of the evolutionary trajectories of the system. Beyond the purely theoretical interest in these questions, understanding the role of spatial structure in shaping the mode and tempo of evolutionary dynamics is particularly timely because, by using modern microfuidics and organoid technologies, we can start building population structures that control the topol- ogy and migration patterns of a molecular or cellular population, amplifying the selective bene t of chosen mutations, boosting the ability to nd optimized protein complexes for medical or industrial applications, or as a screening tool for faster replicating pathogenic variants.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $380,500 )
2025	2025	CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY	5000 FORBES AVE	PITTSBURGH	PA	15213	ALLEGHENY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	4	6/27/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$380,500
														Subtotal = $380,500

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $380,500 )
2024	2024	CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY	5000 FORBES AVE	PITTSBURGH	PA	15213	ALLEGHENY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	9/3/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$380,500
														Subtotal = $380,500

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $373,500 )
2023	2023	CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY	5000 FORBES AVE	PITTSBURGH	PA	15213	ALLEGHENY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	001	2	9/22/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$380,500
2023	2022	CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY	5000 FORBES AVE	PITTSBURGH	PA	15213	ALLEGHENY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	10/31/2022	NEW	-$7,000
														Subtotal = $373,500

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $387,500 )
2022	2022	CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY	5000 FORBES AVE	PITTSBURGH	PA	15213	ALLEGHENY	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	9/26/2022	NEW	$387,500
														Subtotal = $387,500

Grand Total All Awards = $1,522,000

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From pattern to function: eco-evolutionary representations of complex spatial structure for the new era of spatial biology

Award Number: R35GM147445

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/27/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2027

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