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Gawthrop PJ, Pan M. Sensitivity analysis of biochemical systems using bond graphs. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230192. [PMID: 37464805 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The sensitivity of systems biology models to parameter variation can give insights into which parameters are most important for physiological function, and also direct efforts to estimate parameters. However, in general, kinetic models of biochemical systems do not remain thermodynamically consistent after perturbing parameters. To address this issue, we analyse the sensitivity of biological reaction networks in the context of a bond graph representation. We find that the parameter sensitivities can themselves be represented as bond graph components, mirroring potential mechanisms for controlling biochemistry. In particular, a sensitivity system is derived which re-expresses parameter variation as additional system inputs. The sensitivity system is then linearized with respect to these new inputs to derive a linear system which can be used to give local sensitivity to parameters in terms of linear system properties such as gain and time constant. This linear system can also be used to find so-called sloppy parameters in biological models. We verify our approach using a model of the Pentose Phosphate Pathway, confirming the reactions and metabolites most essential to maintaining the function of the pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Gawthrop
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Michael Pan
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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2
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Vittadello ST, Stumpf MPH. Open problems in mathematical biology. Math Biosci 2022; 354:108926. [PMID: 36377100 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2022.108926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Biology is data-rich, and it is equally rich in concepts and hypotheses. Part of trying to understand biological processes and systems is therefore to confront our ideas and hypotheses with data using statistical methods to determine the extent to which our hypotheses agree with reality. But doing so in a systematic way is becoming increasingly challenging as our hypotheses become more detailed, and our data becomes more complex. Mathematical methods are therefore gaining in importance across the life- and biomedical sciences. Mathematical models allow us to test our understanding, make testable predictions about future behaviour, and gain insights into how we can control the behaviour of biological systems. It has been argued that mathematical methods can be of great benefit to biologists to make sense of data. But mathematics and mathematicians are set to benefit equally from considering the often bewildering complexity inherent to living systems. Here we present a small selection of open problems and challenges in mathematical biology. We have chosen these open problems because they are of both biological and mathematical interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean T Vittadello
- Melbourne Integrative Genomics, University of Melbourne, Australia; School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael P H Stumpf
- Melbourne Integrative Genomics, University of Melbourne, Australia; School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Australia; School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Australia.
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3
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Noroozbabaee L, Blanco PJ, Safaei S, Nickerson DP. A modular and reusable model of epithelial transport in the proximal convoluted tubule. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275837. [PMID: 36355848 PMCID: PMC9648790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We review a collection of published renal epithelial transport models, from which we build a consistent and reusable mathematical model able to reproduce many observations and predictions from the literature. The flexible modular model we present here can be adapted to specific configurations of epithelial transport, and in this work we focus on transport in the proximal convoluted tubule of the renal nephron. Our mathematical model of the epithelial proximal convoluted tubule describes the cellular and subcellular mechanisms of the transporters, intracellular buffering, solute fluxes, and other processes. We provide free and open access to the Python implementation to ensure our multiscale proximal tubule model is accessible; enabling the reader to explore the model through setting their own simulations, reproducibility tests, and sensitivity analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Noroozbabaee
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Pablo J. Blanco
- National Laboratory for Scientific Computing, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Soroush Safaei
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David P. Nickerson
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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4
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Musgrave JH, Han JC, Ward ML, Taberner AJ, Loiselle DS, Tran K. Uncovering cross-bridge properties that underlie the cardiac active complex modulus using model linearisation techniques. Math Biosci 2022; 353:108922. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2022.108922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Shahidi N, Pan M, Tran K, Crampin EJ, Nickerson DP. SBML to bond graphs: From conversion to composition. Math Biosci 2022; 352:108901. [PMID: 36096376 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2022.108901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) is a popular software-independent XML-based format for describing models of biological phenomena. The BioModels Database is the largest online repository of SBML models. Several tools and platforms are available to support the reuse and composition of SBML models. However, these tools do not explicitly assess whether models are physically plausible or thermodynamically consistent. This often leads to ill-posed models that are physically impossible, impeding the development of realistic complex models in biology. Here, we present a framework that can automatically convert SBML models into bond graphs, which imposes energy conservation laws on these models. The new bond graph models are easily mergeable, resulting in physically plausible coupled models. We illustrate this by automatically converting and coupling a model of pyruvate distribution to a model of the pentose phosphate pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Shahidi
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand.
| | - Michael Pan
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Victoria, Australia; School of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kenneth Tran
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Edmund J Crampin
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Victoria, Australia; School of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Victoria, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Victoria, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - David P Nickerson
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
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6
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Gawthrop PJ, Pan M. Network thermodynamics of biological systems: A bond graph approach. Math Biosci 2022; 352:108899. [PMID: 36057321 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2022.108899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Edmund Crampin (1973-2021) was at the forefront of Systems Biology research and his work will influence the field for years to come. This paper brings together and summarises the seminal work of his group in applying energy-based bond graph methods to biological systems. In particular, this paper: (a) motivates the need to consider energy in modelling biology; (b) introduces bond graphs as a methodology for achieving this; (c) describes extensions to modelling electrochemical transduction; (d) outlines how bond graph models can be constructed in a modular manner and (e) describes stoichiometric approaches to deriving fundamental properties of reaction networks. These concepts are illustrated using a new bond graph model of photosynthesis in chloroplasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Gawthrop
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Michael Pan
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia; School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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7
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Rajagopal V, Arumugam S, Hunter PJ, Khadangi A, Chung J, Pan M. The Cell Physiome: What Do We Need in a Computational Physiology Framework for Predicting Single-Cell Biology? Annu Rev Biomed Data Sci 2022; 5:341-366. [PMID: 35576556 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-072018-021246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Modern biology and biomedicine are undergoing a big data explosion, needing advanced computational algorithms to extract mechanistic insights on the physiological state of living cells. We present the motivation for the Cell Physiome project: a framework and approach for creating, sharing, and using biophysics-based computational models of single-cell physiology. Using examples in calcium signaling, bioenergetics, and endosomal trafficking, we highlight the need for spatially detailed, biophysics-based computational models to uncover new mechanisms underlying cell biology. We review progress and challenges to date toward creating cell physiome models. We then introduce bond graphs as an efficient way to create cell physiome models that integrate chemical, mechanical, electromagnetic, and thermal processes while maintaining mass and energy balance. Bond graphs enhance modularization and reusability of computational models of cells at scale. We conclude with a look forward at steps that will help fully realize this exciting new field of mechanistic biomedical data science. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biomedical Data Science, Volume 5 is August 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Rajagopal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Senthil Arumugam
- Cellular Physiology Lab, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; European Molecular Biological Laboratory (EMBL) Australia; and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton/Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter J Hunter
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Afshin Khadangi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Joshua Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Michael Pan
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Direct Determination of Reduced Models of a Class of Singularly Perturbed Nonlinear Systems on Three Time Scales in a Bond Graph Approach. Symmetry (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/sym14010104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most important features in the analysis of the singular perturbation methods is the reduction of models. Likewise, the bond graph methodology in dynamic system modeling has been widely used. In this paper, the bond graph modeling of nonlinear systems with singular perturbations is presented. The class of nonlinear systems is the product of state variables on three time scales (fast, medium, and slow). Through this paper, the symmetry of mathematical modeling and graphical modeling can be established. A main characteristic of the bond graph is the application of causality to its elements. When an integral causality is assigned to the storage elements that determine the state variables, the dynamic model is obtained. If the storage elements of the fast dynamics have a derivative causality and the storage elements of the medium and slow dynamics an integral causality is assigned, a reduced model is obtained, which consists of a dynamic model for the medium and slow time scales and a stationary model of the fast time scale. By applying derivative causality to the storage elements of the fast and medium dynamics and an integral causality to the storage elements of the slow dynamics, the quasi-steady-state model for the slow dynamics is obtained and stationary models for the fast and medium dynamics are defined. The exact and reduced models of singularly perturbed systems can be interpreted as another symmetry in the development of this paper. Finally, the proposed methodology was applied to a system with three time scales in a bond graph approach, and simulation results are shown in order to indicate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
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Pan M, Gawthrop PJ, Cursons J, Crampin EJ. Modular assembly of dynamic models in systems biology. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009513. [PMID: 34644304 PMCID: PMC8544865 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
It is widely acknowledged that the construction of large-scale dynamic models in systems biology requires complex modelling problems to be broken up into more manageable pieces. To this end, both modelling and software frameworks are required to enable modular modelling. While there has been consistent progress in the development of software tools to enhance model reusability, there has been a relative lack of consideration for how underlying biophysical principles can be applied to this space. Bond graphs combine the aspects of both modularity and physics-based modelling. In this paper, we argue that bond graphs are compatible with recent developments in modularity and abstraction in systems biology, and are thus a desirable framework for constructing large-scale models. We use two examples to illustrate the utility of bond graphs in this context: a model of a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade to illustrate the reusability of modules and a model of glycolysis to illustrate the ability to modify the model granularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pan
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter J. Gawthrop
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph Cursons
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Edmund J. Crampin
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Gawthrop PJ, Pan M, Crampin EJ. Modular dynamic biomolecular modelling with bond graphs: the unification of stoichiometry, thermodynamics, kinetics and data. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210478. [PMID: 34428949 PMCID: PMC8385351 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Renewed interest in dynamic simulation models of biomolecular systems has arisen from advances in genome-wide measurement and applications of such models in biotechnology and synthetic biology. In particular, genome-scale models of cellular metabolism beyond the steady state are required in order to represent transient and dynamic regulatory properties of the system. Development of such whole-cell models requires new modelling approaches. Here, we propose the energy-based bond graph methodology, which integrates stoichiometric models with thermodynamic principles and kinetic modelling. We demonstrate how the bond graph approach intrinsically enforces thermodynamic constraints, provides a modular approach to modelling, and gives a basis for estimation of model parameters leading to dynamic models of biomolecular systems. The approach is illustrated using a well-established stoichiometric model of Escherichia coli and published experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Gawthrop
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Michael Pan
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Edmund J. Crampin
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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11
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Shahidi N, Pan M, Safaei S, Tran K, Crampin EJ, Nickerson DP. Hierarchical semantic composition of biosimulation models using bond graphs. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008859. [PMID: 33983945 PMCID: PMC8148364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simulating complex biological and physiological systems and predicting their behaviours under different conditions remains challenging. Breaking systems into smaller and more manageable modules can address this challenge, assisting both model development and simulation. Nevertheless, existing computational models in biology and physiology are often not modular and therefore difficult to assemble into larger models. Even when this is possible, the resulting model may not be useful due to inconsistencies either with the laws of physics or the physiological behaviour of the system. Here, we propose a general methodology for composing models, combining the energy-based bond graph approach with semantics-based annotations. This approach improves model composition and ensures that a composite model is physically plausible. As an example, we demonstrate this approach to automated model composition using a model of human arterial circulation. The major benefit is that modellers can spend more time on understanding the behaviour of complex biological and physiological systems and less time wrangling with model composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Shahidi
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael Pan
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Soroush Safaei
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kenneth Tran
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Edmund J. Crampin
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David P. Nickerson
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Gawthrop PJ. Energy-Based Modeling of the Feedback Control of Biomolecular Systems With Cyclic Flow Modulation. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2021; 20:183-192. [PMID: 33566764 DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2021.3058440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Energy-based modelling brings engineering insight to the understanding of biomolecular systems. It is shown how well-established control engineering concepts, such as loop-gain, arise from energy feedback loops and are therefore amenable to control engineering insight. In particular, a novel method is introduced to allow the transfer function based approach of classical linear control to be utilised in the analysis of feedback systems modelled by network thermodynamics and thus amalgamate energy-based modelling with control systems analysis. The approach is illustrated using a class of metabolic cycles with activation and inhibition leading to the concept of Cyclic Flow Modulation.
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Gawthrop PJ, Pan M. Network Thermodynamical Modeling of Bioelectrical Systems: A Bond Graph Approach. Bioelectricity 2021; 3:3-13. [PMID: 34476374 DOI: 10.1089/bioe.2020.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions among biomolecules, electrons, and protons are essential to many fundamental processes sustaining life. It is therefore of interest to build mathematical models of these bioelectrical processes not only to enhance understanding but also to enable computer models to complement in vitro and in vivo experiments. Such models can never be entirely accurate; it is nevertheless important that the models are compatible with physical principles. Network Thermodynamics, as implemented with bond graphs, provide one approach to creating physically compatible mathematical models of bioelectrical systems. This is illustrated using simple models of ion channels, redox reactions, proton pumps, and electrogenic membrane transporters thus demonstrating that the approach can be used to build mathematical and computer models of a wide range of bioelectrical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Gawthrop
- Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael Pan
- Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Physically-plausible modelling of biomolecular systems: A simplified, energy-based model of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. J Theor Biol 2020; 493:110223. [PMID: 32119969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2020.110223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Advances in systems biology and whole-cell modelling demand increasingly comprehensive mathematical models of cellular biochemistry. Such models require the development of simplified representations of specific processes which capture essential biophysical features but without unnecessarily complexity. Recently there has been renewed interest in thermodynamically-based modelling of cellular processes. Here we present an approach to developing of simplified yet thermodynamically consistent (hence physically plausible) models which can readily be incorporated into large scale biochemical descriptions but which do not require full mechanistic detail of the underlying processes. We illustrate the approach through development of a simplified, physically plausible model of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and show that the simplified model behaves like the full system.
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15
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Gawthrop P, Crampin EJ. Bond Graph Representation of Chemical Reaction Networks. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2018; 17:449-455. [DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2018.2876391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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16
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Pan M, Gawthrop PJ, Tran K, Cursons J, Crampin EJ. A thermodynamic framework for modelling membrane transporters. J Theor Biol 2018; 481:10-23. [PMID: 30273576 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Membrane transporters contribute to the regulation of the internal environment of cells by translocating substrates across cell membranes. Like all physical systems, the behaviour of membrane transporters is constrained by the laws of thermodynamics. However, many mathematical models of transporters, especially those incorporated into whole-cell models, are not thermodynamically consistent, leading to unrealistic behaviour. In this paper we use a physics-based modelling framework, in which the transfer of energy is explicitly accounted for, to develop thermodynamically consistent models of transporters. We then apply this methodology to model two specific transporters: the cardiac sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) and the cardiac Na+/K+ ATPase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pan
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Peter J Gawthrop
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Kenneth Tran
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Joseph Cursons
- Bioinformatics Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Edmund J Crampin
- Systems Biology Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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Abstract
Analysis of Rosen's theories with a focus on their mathematical content. Provides links of Rosen's work with most recent research into mathematical modelling. Possible implementations of ’closure to efficient causation’ in models are discussed. Critical analysis of Rosen's use of category theory.
The theoretical biologist Robert Rosen developed a highly original approach for investigating the question “What is life?”, the most fundamental problem of biology. Considering that Rosen made extensive use of mathematics it might seem surprising that his ideas have only rarely been implemented in mathematical models. On the one hand, Rosen propagates relational models that neglect underlying structural details of the components and focus on relationships between the elements of a biological system, according to the motto “throw away the physics, keep the organisation”. Rosen's strong rejection of mechanistic models that he implicitly associates with a strong form of reductionism might have deterred mathematical modellers from adopting his ideas for their own work. On the other hand Rosen's presentation of his modelling framework, (M, R) systems, is highly abstract which makes it hard to appreciate how this approach could be applied to concrete biological problems. In this article, both the mathematics as well as those aspects of Rosen's work are analysed that relate to his philosophical ideas. It is shown that Rosen's relational models are a particular type of mechanistic model with specific underlying assumptions rather than a fundamentally different approach that excludes mechanistic models. The strengths and weaknesses of relational models are investigated by comparison with current network biology literature. Finally, it is argued that Rosen's definition of life, “organisms are closed to efficient causation”, should be considered as a hypothesis to be tested and ideas how this postulate could be implemented in mathematical models are presented.
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Abstract
A new approach to compute the equilibria and the steady-states of biomolecular systems modeled by bond graphs is presented. The approach is illustrated using a model of a biomolecular cycle representing a membrane transporter and a model of the mitochondrial electron transport chain.
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Safaei S, Blanco PJ, Müller LO, Hellevik LR, Hunter PJ. Bond Graph Model of Cerebral Circulation: Toward Clinically Feasible Systemic Blood Flow Simulations. Front Physiol 2018; 9:148. [PMID: 29551979 PMCID: PMC5841312 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose a detailed CellML model of the human cerebral circulation that runs faster than real time on a desktop computer and is designed for use in clinical settings when the speed of response is important. A lumped parameter mathematical model, which is based on a one-dimensional formulation of the flow of an incompressible fluid in distensible vessels, is constructed using a bond graph formulation to ensure mass conservation and energy conservation. The model includes arterial vessels with geometric and anatomical data based on the ADAN circulation model. The peripheral beds are represented by lumped parameter compartments. We compare the hemodynamics predicted by the bond graph formulation of the cerebral circulation with that given by a classical one-dimensional Navier-Stokes model working on top of the whole-body ADAN model. Outputs from the bond graph model, including the pressure and flow signatures and blood volumes, are compared with physiological data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soroush Safaei
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Pablo J Blanco
- National Laboratory for Scientific Computing, Petrópolis, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology in Medicine Assisted by Scientific Computing, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Lucas O Müller
- Division of Biomechanics, Department of Structural Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Leif R Hellevik
- Division of Biomechanics, Department of Structural Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Peter J Hunter
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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20
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de Bono B, Safaei S, Grenon P, Hunter P. Meeting the multiscale challenge: representing physiology processes over ApiNATOMY circuits using bond graphs. Interface Focus 2017; 8:20170026. [PMID: 29285348 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2017.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We introduce, and provide examples of, the application of the bond graph formalism to explicitly represent biophysical processes between and within modular biological compartments in ApiNATOMY. In particular, we focus on modelling scenarios from acid-base physiology to link distinct process modalities as bond graphs over an ApiNATOMY circuit of multiscale compartments. The embedding of bond graphs onto ApiNATOMY compartments provides a semantically and mathematically explicit basis for the coherent representation, integration and visualisation of multiscale physiology processes together with the compartmental topology of those biological structures that convey these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- B de Bono
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - S Safaei
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - P Grenon
- Farr Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - P Hunter
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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21
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Gawthrop PJ, Siekmann I, Kameneva T, Saha S, Ibbotson MR, Crampin EJ. Bond graph modelling of chemoelectrical energy transduction. IET Syst Biol 2017; 11:127-138. [PMCID: PMC8687425 DOI: 10.1049/iet-syb.2017.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Energy‐based bond graph modelling of biomolecular systems is extended to include chemoelectrical transduction thus enabling integrated thermodynamically compliant modelling of chemoelectrical systems in general and excitable membranes in particular. Our general approach is illustrated by recreating a well‐known model of an excitable membrane. This model is used to investigate the energy consumed during a membrane action potential thus contributing to the current debate on the trade‐off between the speed of an action potential event and energy consumption. The influx of Na+ is often taken as a proxy for energy consumption; in contrast, this study presents an energy‐based model of action potentials. As the energy‐based approach avoids the assumptions underlying the proxy approach it can be directly used to compute energy consumption in both healthy and diseased neurons. These results are illustrated by comparing the energy consumption of healthy and degenerative retinal ganglion cells using both simulated and in vitro data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Gawthrop
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
| | - Ivo Siekmann
- Institute for Mathematical Stochastics, University of GöttingenGottingenGermany
| | - Tatiana Kameneva
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
| | - Susmita Saha
- National Vision Research Institute, Australian College of OptometryCarltonVICAustralia
| | - Michael R. Ibbotson
- National Vision Research Institute, Australian College of OptometryCarltonVICAustralia
- Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Dept. Optometry and Vision SciencesUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
| | - Edmund J. Crampin
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVICAustralia
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of MelbourneParkvilleVIC3010Australia
- School of Medicine, University of MelbourneParkvilleVIC3010Australia
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Gawthrop PJ, Crampin EJ. Energy-based analysis of biomolecular pathways. Proc Math Phys Eng Sci 2017; 473:20160825. [PMID: 28690404 DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2016.0825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Decomposition of biomolecular reaction networks into pathways is a powerful approach to the analysis of metabolic and signalling networks. Current approaches based on analysis of the stoichiometric matrix reveal information about steady-state mass flows (reaction rates) through the network. In this work, we show how pathway analysis of biomolecular networks can be extended using an energy-based approach to provide information about energy flows through the network. This energy-based approach is developed using the engineering-inspired bond graph methodology to represent biomolecular reaction networks. The approach is introduced using glycolysis as an exemplar; and is then applied to analyse the efficiency of free energy transduction in a biomolecular cycle model of a transporter protein [sodium-glucose transport protein 1 (SGLT1)]. The overall aim of our work is to present a framework for modelling and analysis of biomolecular reactions and processes which considers energy flows and losses as well as mass transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Gawthrop
- Systems Biology Laboratory, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Edmund J Crampin
- Systems Biology Laboratory, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.,School of Mathematics and Statistics, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.,School of Medicine, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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23
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Gawthrop PJ. Bond Graph Modeling of Chemiosmotic Biomolecular Energy Transduction. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2017; 16:177-188. [PMID: 28252411 DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2017.2674683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Engineering systems modeling and analysis based on the bond graph approach has been applied to biomolecular systems. In this context, the notion of a Faraday-equivalent chemical potential is introduced which allows chemical potential to be expressed in an analogous manner to electrical volts thus allowing engineering intuition to be applied to biomolecular systems. Redox reactions, and their representation by half-reactions, are key components of biological systems which involve both electrical and chemical domains. A bond graph interpretation of redox reactions is given which combines bond graphs with the Faraday-equivalent chemical potential. This approach is particularly relevant when the biomolecular system implements chemoelectrical transduction - for example chemiosmosis within the key metabolic pathway of mitochondria: oxidative phosphorylation. An alternative way of implementing computational modularity using bond graphs is introduced and used to give a physically based model of the mitochondrial electron transport chain To illustrate the overall approach, this model is analyzed using the Faraday-equivalent chemical potential approach and engineering intuition is used to guide affinity equalisation: a energy based analysis of the mitochondrial electron transport chain.
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