Topological Data Analysis for Multiscale Biology – Heather Harrington

Abstract

Many processes in the life sciences are inherently multi-scale and dynamic. Spatial structures and patterns vary across levels of organisation, from molecular to multi-cellular to multi-organism. With more sophisticated mechanistic models and data available, quantitative tools are needed to study their evolution in space and time. Topological data analysis (TDA) provides a multi-scale summary of data. I will review the main tools in topological data analysis and how single and multi-parameter persistent homology provide insights to biological systems.