Novel frontiers in interaction networks within and beyond ecology

• Grant number: 25/01707-8
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Young Investigators Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2026
• End date: January 31, 2031
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Theoretical Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Rafael Barros Pereira Pinheiro
• Grantee: Rafael Barros Pereira Pinheiro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Campinas
• Associated researchers: Anna Traveset ; Carsten Dormann ; Gilberto Corso ; Guadalupe Peralta ; Helder Takashi Imoto Nakaya ; Leonardo Ré Jorge ; Luciano Cagnolo ; Thomas Michael Lewinsohn

Abstract

Species interactions are central mechanisms in the structure, dynamics, and functioning of ecosystems. Currently, concepts and methods from network science are widely applied in the study of bipartite networks describing a specific mode of ecological interaction (e.g., plant-herbivore). This project proposes innovations in the study of species interactions with interdisciplinary applications and is organized into seven objectives at the frontiers of interaction network research. (1) The first frontier concerns the spatial and temporal dimensions of species interactions. This objective will be addressed through the analysis of environmental gradients, both natural and anthropogenic, and the examination of scale dependencies in network structure. In another stage, we will move beyond the traditional bipartite approach to the structural analysis of tripartite networks, linking different forms of interactions (e.g., plant-herbivore-parasitoid). (2) To achieve this, we will develop a methodology for detecting hypermodules, tripartite structures generated by the congruence between bipartite modules. (3) Based on this new concept and method, we will investigate the hypermodularity of various tripartite ecological systems and their potential underlying mechanisms. (4) In parallel, we will advance the analysis of three-dimensional mutual information, specifically adapting it for studying tripartite networks and the spatial and temporal variation of interactions. Subsequently, the preceding tools and concepts will be expanded to an interdisciplinary perspective and applied to tripartite networks beyond ecological science. (5) With a focus on bioprospecting, we will analyze plant-secondary compound-pharmacological activity systems, using databases and collections such as those from the BIOprospecTA, subprogram of BIOTA Fapesp. (6) In the field of network medicine, we will prioritize gene-disease-drug systems, aiming to improve diagnostics and optimize drug repositioning. (7) Finally, we will produce an interdisciplinary synthesis of tripartite network knowledge, integrating the project's findings with the current literature. (AU)