# CAREER: Understanding and Harnessing the Unreasonable Effectiveness of Evolution with Microbial and Computational Model Systems

> **NSF 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (MI) · $1,742,691

## Abstract

One of the deepest mysteries in biology is how life has become so astonishingly complex, which is hard to ignore when looking around at the remarkable biodiversity on earth. Scientists know that evolution is ultimately responsible, but they don't fully understand what fuels the apparent drive for complexity. One hypothesis is that when species face an antagonistic push-and-pull interaction with one another, like between populations of hosts and their parasites, evolution speeds up and produces more novelty than when organisms are simply adapting to a changing environment. This project investigates whether such biological conflict is truly special in its ability to drive evolutionary innovation. To do this, the research team at the University of Michigan combines custom-built devices that control evolution in bacteria in real time, self-replicating computer programs that evolve following the same laws as life, and targeted experiments with bacteriophages—viruses that infect bacteria. Together, these tools let the research team watch and control evolution at a speed and scale far greater than nature alone allows. This work has direct relevance to biotechnology, particularly in understanding and countering antimicrobial resistance, informing potential phage therapy strategies when antibiotics are no longer an option, and improving directed evolution approaches for engineering more adaptable biological systems. Beyond the lab, this project trains Detroit-area teachers through a summer research program so they can bring real evolutionary expertise or experiments directly to their students. An interactive museum exhibit at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History and online tools will make these ideas explorable to anyone curious about where life's creativity comes from. 

This award integrates computational modeling, microbial experiments, and theoretical analysis to understand fundamental questions in evolution. Starting with observations from a rather unu

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2540912
- **Awardee organization:** Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (MI)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** GNJ7BBP73WE9
- **PI:** Luis Zaman
- **Primary program:** 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, RET SUPP-Res Exp for Tchr Supp, Biotechnology
- **Estimated total:** $1,742,691
- **Funds obligated:** $1,347,258
- **Transaction type:** Continuing Grant
- **Period:** 06/01/2026 → 05/31/2031

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2540912

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2540912, CAREER: Understanding and Harnessing the Unreasonable Effectiveness of Evolution with Microbial and Computational Model Systems. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-20 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2540912. Licensed CC0.

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