Summary
Statistical analysis of phylogenetic models is one of the most active areas of research in computational biology today with wide applications in the Theory of Evolution, epidemiology, forensics, etc. Current phylogenetic software packages limit the user to the set of phylogenetic models and inference strategies that have been pre-programmed in the tool. Inference under certain important phylogenetic models is very difficult with the Markov chain Monte-Carlo strategy implemented in current packages for phylogenetic analysis. The new paradigm of probabilistic programming, coming from computational statistics and theoretical computer science, solves the model expression problem and enables the user to implement novel inference methods. We utilize probabilistic programming to automatically generate Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) inference machinery for MCMC-hard problems in phylogentics. SMC algorithms may be more efficient, provide unbiased solutions, and provide likelihoods estimates for model comparison.
The goal of the proposed research is to carry out some of the first applications of probabilistic programming to real-world problems of empirical interest in evolutionary biology. The objectives are (1) to design and implement statistical inference machinery for complex diversification models with variable tree topology and a trait-dependent branching process under probabilistic programming, (2) to do a pilot study on the applicability of this inference machinery by studying the effect of the orogeny of the Andes on Neotropical biodiversity, and (3) contribute to the design and implementation of a novel probabilistic programming language for phylogenetics, TreePPL, by utilizing the insights gained from (1) and (2).
We also propose dissemination and communication measures that target scientists and the general public throughout Europe and in particular new and aspiring EU member states.
The goal of the proposed research is to carry out some of the first applications of probabilistic programming to real-world problems of empirical interest in evolutionary biology. The objectives are (1) to design and implement statistical inference machinery for complex diversification models with variable tree topology and a trait-dependent branching process under probabilistic programming, (2) to do a pilot study on the applicability of this inference machinery by studying the effect of the orogeny of the Andes on Neotropical biodiversity, and (3) contribute to the design and implementation of a novel probabilistic programming language for phylogenetics, TreePPL, by utilizing the insights gained from (1) and (2).
We also propose dissemination and communication measures that target scientists and the general public throughout Europe and in particular new and aspiring EU member states.
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| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/898120 |
| Start date: | 04-05-2020 |
| End date: | 24-08-2022 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 203 852,16 Euro - 203 852,00 Euro |
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Original description
Statistical analysis of phylogenetic models is one of the most active areas of research in computational biology today with wide applications in the Theory of Evolution, epidemiology, forensics, etc. Current phylogenetic software packages limit the user to the set of phylogenetic models and inference strategies that have been pre-programmed in the tool. Inference under certain important phylogenetic models is very difficult with the Markov chain Monte-Carlo strategy implemented in current packages for phylogenetic analysis. The new paradigm of probabilistic programming, coming from computational statistics and theoretical computer science, solves the model expression problem and enables the user to implement novel inference methods. We utilize probabilistic programming to automatically generate Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) inference machinery for MCMC-hard problems in phylogentics. SMC algorithms may be more efficient, provide unbiased solutions, and provide likelihoods estimates for model comparison.The goal of the proposed research is to carry out some of the first applications of probabilistic programming to real-world problems of empirical interest in evolutionary biology. The objectives are (1) to design and implement statistical inference machinery for complex diversification models with variable tree topology and a trait-dependent branching process under probabilistic programming, (2) to do a pilot study on the applicability of this inference machinery by studying the effect of the orogeny of the Andes on Neotropical biodiversity, and (3) contribute to the design and implementation of a novel probabilistic programming language for phylogenetics, TreePPL, by utilizing the insights gained from (1) and (2).
We also propose dissemination and communication measures that target scientists and the general public throughout Europe and in particular new and aspiring EU member states.
Status
CLOSEDCall topic
MSCA-IF-2019Update Date
28-04-2024
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