Saphyr · StAtistical PHYsics and glassy facets of micRobial communities

The study of ecological systems is at the forefront of modern scientific research, fueled by the vast availability of empirical data and advanced bioengineering techniques. Unraveling the dynamical and thermodynamical properties of these complex systems, especially in light of the current biodiversity crisis, represents a major challenge. SAPHYR aims to decode the complexity of large microbial communities and characterize their alternative dynamical states, with a particular focus on the gut microbiome, which plays a key role in various health disorders.Methodologically, SAPHYR is structured around three main axes. First, by applying cutting-edge statistical physics techniques, it aims to identify and correlate stable/unstable regimes with healthy/unhealthy physiological states in the gut (Axis 1), ultimately pinpointing universal features. Next, it will explore spatial correlations (Axis 2) and structured, time-dependent interaction networks (Axis 3). This approach will allow for an in-depth investigation of out-of-equilibrium dynamics and pattern formation within spatially extended communities. The study of sound mathematical models, combining methods from disordered-system physics with numerical simulations, will offer unprecedented insights into the stability of these systems under external disturbances. SAPHYR represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of systems governed by highly heterogeneous interaction networks, offering a timely compound of theoretical physics with applied research. On one front, SAPHYR will distinguish between single and multiple-fixed-point regimes, examine the interplay between local and global dynamics, and disentangle informative variation (signal) in microbial composition from noise. On the other, it will lay the groundwork for identifying correlations between microbiota-host interactions and bowel diseases, contributing tools for developing targeted health management strategies.