A.-F. Bitbol

Mutant fate in spatially structured populations on graphs: connecting models to experiments

The paper bridges evolutionary graph theory and experimental conditions by introducing a new model of spatially structured populations and analyzing recent experiments to test predictions about mutant fixation.

Interactions between pili affect the outcome of bacterial competition driven by the type VI secretion system

This study shows that pili-mediated interactions in V. cholerae reduce population size via T6SS-dependent competition, with pilus diversity affecting contact likelihood and T6SS-mediated outcomes.

Evolution of cooperation in deme-structured populations on graphs

This study shows cooperation is not favored in deme-structured populations on graphs when deme fitness does not affect migration, due to a separation of scales between local cooperation and spatial structure.

Frequent asymmetric migrations suppress natural selection in spatially structured populations

The paper shows that frequent asymmetric migrations in spatially structured populations suppress natural selection, with suppression strength increasing with migration asymmetry.

Impact of population size on early adaptation in rugged fitness landscapes

The paper shows that small population sizes can lead to higher early fitness peaks in rugged landscapes, challenging the notion that larger populations are always better for adaptation.

Hydrodynamic flow and concentration gradients in the gut enhance neutral bacterial diversity

The paper models gut hydrodynamics and concentration gradients to show they increase neutral mutant fixation probability by creating an effective population size based on active bacterial division.

Toward a universal model for spatially structured populations

The paper introduces a universal model for spatially structured populations that shows how migration asymmetry can shift fixation probabilities of mutants between amplifying and suppressing natural selection.

Adapt or perish: Evolutionary rescue in a gradually deteriorating environment

This study examines evolutionary rescue in a deteriorating environment, showing that later appearing mutants have higher fixation probability and rescue likelihood increases with carrying capacity and mutation probability.

Resist or perish: fate of a microbial population subjected to a periodic presence of antimicrobial

This paper models how periodic antimicrobial exposure affects microbial resistance evolution and population survival, finding that fast alternations favor resistance while longer periods can lead to extinction.

Antibody-mediated cross-linking of gut bacteria hinders the spread of antibiotic resistance

This study develops a multiscale model showing that antibody-mediated bacterial clustering in the gut can hinder the spread of antibiotic resistance in host populations.

Revealing evolutionary constraints on proteins through sequence analysis

The paper identifies evolutionary sectors in protein sequences by analyzing covariance matrix eigenvalues, linking them to physical properties and mutational effects.

Quantifying the impact of a periodic presence of antimicrobial on resistance evolution in a homogeneous microbial population of fixed size

This study quantifies how periodic antimicrobial presence accelerates resistance evolution in microbial populations, showing faster resistance emergence with shorter periods and larger population sizes.