English

SLiM-Gym: Reinforcement Learning for Population Genetics

Populations and Evolution 2025-04-24 v1

Abstract

We introduce SLiM-Gym, a Python package for integrating reinforcement learning (RL) with forward-time population genetic simulations. Wright-Fisher evolutionary dynamics offer a tractable framework for modeling populations across discrete generations, yet applying RL to these systems requires a compatible training environment. SLiM-Gym connects the standardized RL interface provided by Gymnasium with the high-fidelity evolutionary simulations of SLiM, allowing agents to interact with evolving populations in real time. This framework enables the development and evaluation of RL-based strategies for understanding evolutionary processes.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2504.16301,
  title  = {SLiM-Gym: Reinforcement Learning for Population Genetics},
  author = {Niko Zuppas and Bryan C. Carstens},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2504.16301},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

7 pages, 2 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-28T23:07:52.871Z