Evolutionary games and population dynamics: from theory to applications

Project Information

EvoGamesPlus

Grant agreement ID: 955708

DOI

10.3030/955708

Project closed

EC signature date 19 August 2020

Start date 1 March 2021

End date 28 February 2025

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 3 980 390,04

EU contribution

€ 3 980 390,04

Coordinated by

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - EvoGamesPlus (Evolutionary games and population dynamics: from theory to applications)

Reporting period: 2023-03-01 to 2025-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

EvoGamesPlus training network has aimed at training 15 high-potential Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the state-of-the-art of Evolutionary Game Theory (EGT) and its applications in various domains, such as oncology and epidemiology.
Through this project, the ESRs (Early-Stage Researchers) have learned to make EGT models more realistic and apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems, often using real data for model validation.

The primary research objective of EvoGamesPlus is to expand EGT models, understand structural and dynamical properties of the newly developed models, and apply them in the domains of our interest. To achieve this objective, the project has four key scientific objectives. The first objective is to develop game-theoretical models describing interactions in structured populations. The second objective is to expand the EGT field by including dynamical aspects of evolutionary games. The third objective is to develop game-theoretical models to conceptualize cancer and design evolutionary treatments based on in vitro and in vivo data. The fourth objective is to develop more realistic ecological and epidemiological models to predict and prevent epidemics based on epidemiological data.

EvoGamesPlus evolves around training the ESRs, to prepare them for successful career inside and outside academia. To do so, we have provided trainings and secondments from both academic and non-academic parties, and also aimed at multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration between the ESRs, senior scientists, and non-academic experts involved in EvoGamesPlus.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

WP1 has built on existing structural EGT models, incorporating a number of realistic population features. These include population structure, multi-level selection, multiple and multiplayer interactions, time delays and eco-evolutionary factors.

WP2 has started incorporating techniques from dynamical systems theory into evolutionary game theory, to address questions of stability of equilibria by using numerical and analytical methods.

WP3 has been focusing on games against and for nature, so-called Stackelberg Evolutionary Games, their properties, and application in mathematical oncology, to understand cancer progression and develop novel anti-cancer treatment.

WP4 has been developing more realistic ecological and epidemiological models that can be used to predict and prevent epidemics based on epidemiological data.

Only deliverables D1.1 D2.1 D3.1 and D4.1 thus deliverables related to the first tasks of each content work package, were due in this reporting period. All other content deliverables are due in the future reporting period and, as such, the related research will be reported in the next reporting period.

WP5 has successfully organized ESRs’ trainings, secondments, winter/summer schools, conferences/workshops, and short visits, focusing both on content of the project and soft skills. Additionally, within the training journal clubs organized by WPs and across WPs have been organized, which will lead to review article(s) on the EvoGamesPlus content..

WP6 has successfully managed the network on a daily basis and included formalization of GA and CA, the establishment of the management structure, practical arrangements, and progress monitoring.

WP7 set up the project's communication infrastructure and coordinating related activities

WP8 guarded our obligations to comply with the principles of Ethics which are characteristic for Horizon 2020 program and included in Article 34.1 of the Grant Agreement

WP9 has been focusing on assuring that Evogamesplus results and produced data as open as possible while in line with the ethics requirement. As no data have been utilized so far, due to focus on model development, most outcomes are due in the next reporting period.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

We develop new game theoretic models and increase our understanding of these new models, improving our understanding of not only underlying equilibria, but also the dynamics leading to them. We use these novel game-theoretical tools to design better cancer therapies and measures to control epidemics. The modelling techniqueswe will develop will expand the theory towards the more applicable models.


All WPs of EvoGamesPlus will introduce methodologies expanding the state of the art of their corresponding fields. In WP1, new models expanding evolutionary graph theory will be developed and combined with agent-based modelling. In WP2, dynamical systems theory methods will be brought to evolutionary game theory, expanding the field of EGT to this direction (identifying tipping points, bifurcations, and chaotic behaviour in evolutionary games). In WP3, the novel concept of Stackelberg evolutionary game (SEG) theory will be developed and studied, also in the context of cancer treatment. In WP4, a new generation of ecological models, built upon SIR models, will be developed and validated with big data as an input, using software and machine learning techniques developed by EvoGamesPlus researchers.

EvoGamesPlus Spring School, Delft

EvoGamesPlus Winter School, Ploen

Logo of the project

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