PLoS Biology (Aug 2016)

Modelling the Structure and Dynamics of Biological Pathways.

  • Laura O'Hara,
  • Alessandra Livigni,
  • Thanos Theo,
  • Benjamin Boyer,
  • Tim Angus,
  • Derek Wright,
  • Sz-Hau Chen,
  • Sobia Raza,
  • Mark W Barnett,
  • Paul Digard,
  • Lee B Smith,
  • Tom C Freeman

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1002530
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 8
p. e1002530

Abstract

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There is a need for formalised diagrams that both summarise current biological pathway knowledge and support modelling approaches that explain and predict their behaviour. Here, we present a new, freely available modelling framework that includes a biologist-friendly pathway modelling language (mEPN), a simple but sophisticated method to support model parameterisation using available biological information; a stochastic flow algorithm that simulates the dynamics of pathway activity; and a 3-D visualisation engine that aids understanding of the complexities of a system's dynamics. We present example pathway models that illustrate of the power of approach to depict a diverse range of systems.