Biology and economics are often viewed as separate domains, but they share a surprising connection on principles like game theory and statistical modeling! I came to know this while working on my recent articles: many statistical methods have their roots in economic models.
These “economic” tools, combined with evolutionary biology, are helping researchers understand complex biological/medical challenges.
Game Theory in Evolution and Medicine
Game theory analyzes strategic decision-making and often associated with economics. The application of game theory has been extremely successful to understand animal behavior. It can be also used to understand evolutionary pressure and competition-cooperation among cells. For example, cancer cells within tumors compete for resources, mimicking evolutionary "games". By modeling these dynamics, researchers can develop therapies that exploit vulnerabilities in cancer's strategies.
At the molecular level, game theory can shed light on molecular evolution. Like organisms, genes can also compete for success in replication. (my new article on molecular evolution is coming soon!)
Statistical Models
Statistical tools borrowed from economics can help track and predict disease spread. Models like Bayesian inference are used to analyze genetic mutations in viruses, as seen in real-time COVID-19 tracking. These techniques also optimize clinical trials by identifying the most promising drug candidates with minimal waste.
A Unified Framework
When evolutionary biology and economic theories merge, they create a robust framework for understanding medical challenges. The synergy between biology and economics reveals not only how life evolves but also how we can strategically intervene to promote health.
References / Further Reading:
Staňková, K., Brown, J. S., Dalton, W. S., & Gatenby, R. A. (2019). Optimizing cancer treatment using game theory: a review. JAMA oncology, 5(1), 96-103.
Sigmund, K., & Nowak, M. A. (1999). Evolutionary game theory. Current Biology, 9(14), R503-R505.
Bohl, K., Hummert, S., Werner, S., Basanta, D., Deutsch, A., Schuster, S., ... & Schroeter, A. (2014). Evolutionary game theory: molecules as players. Molecular BioSystems, 10(12), 3066-3074.
Smith, J. M. (1984). Game theory and the evolution of behaviour. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 7(1), 95-101.
Klein, E., Laxminarayan, R., Smith, D. L., & Gilligan, C. A. (2007). Economic incentives and mathematical models of disease. Environment and development economics, 12(5), 707-732.
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