PrioriTree

PrioriTree assesses prior sensitivity and supports robust Bayesian inference for discrete-geographic phylodynamic analyses implemented in BEAST.

Key Features:

• Prior-sensitivity assessment: Identifies and manages sensitivity to prior beliefs in discrete-geographic phylodynamic models.
• BEAST input generation: Generates input files formatted for BEAST to perform downstream Bayesian phylogenetic analyses.
• Data-cloning support: Performs data-cloning analyses to assess the influence of prior assumptions on posterior estimates.
• Model-fit evaluation: Evaluates both the relative and absolute fit of candidate discrete-geographic prior models against empirical datasets.
• Workflow functions: Provides computational functions for input generation, model comparison, and summarizing BEAST outputs.

Scientific Applications:

• Epidemiological phylodynamics: Supports inference of geographic and demographic histories of disease outbreaks using discrete-geographic phylodynamic models.
• Robust inference and model selection: Aids assessment of model appropriateness and robustness of Bayesian parameter estimates under varying prior specifications.

Methodology:

Generates BEAST input files, performs data-cloning analyses, and evaluates the relative and absolute fit of candidate discrete-geographic prior models to empirical datasets under a Bayesian framework.