Analysis of complex reactional systems is a difficult task that can benefit from using mathematical models. However, the complexity of the nonlinearities involved in such class of systems makes it difficult to analyze the system properties from a given model. The development of especific tools aiming to a methodology able of dealing with this problem has been a leading goal of several groups. Our group has focussed on what is known as Biochemical Systems Theory (BST), a methodology based on using the power-law formalism in two variants: S-systems and Generalized Mass Action Systems (GMA).
Evaluation of alternative strategies for system analysis
The use of modeling tools based on the general ideas of sensitivity analysis was introduced in biochemistry from different perspectives. From there, two major methodologies emerged: Biochemical Systems Theory (BST) and Metabolic Control Analysis (MCA). From a formal point of view, BST includes MCA, although the different nomenclature used has obscured this fact. One of the activities of our group has been to objectively compare both approaches to show its relatedness and differences. Some publications dealing with this problem are:
Sorribas,A.; Savageau,M.A.
Strategies for representing
metabolic
pathways within biochemical systems theory: reversible pathways
Math.Bisoc.
(1989) 94:239-269
Savageau,M.A.; Sorribas,A.
Constraints among molecular and systemic
properties: implications for physiological genetics
J.Theor.Biol. (1989)
141:93-115
Curto, R., Sorribas; A.; Cascante, M.
Comparative characterization
pathway of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using Biochemical Systems Theory and
Methabolic Control Analysis: Model definition and nomenclature.
Math.Biosc.
(1995) 130:25-50
Cascante, M.; Curto,R.; Sorribas, A.
Comparative characterization
pathway of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using Biochemical Systems Theory and
Methabolic Control Analysis: Steady-state analysis.
Math.Biosc. (1995)
130:51-69
Sorribas, A., Curto, R., Cascante, M.
Comparative characterization
pathway of Saccharomyces cerevisiae using Biochemical Systems Theory and
Methabolic Control Analysis: Model validation and dynamic
behaviour.
Math.Biosc. (1995) 130:71-84