Sensitivity Analysis of Biochemical Networks Computer Algebra Application to the Escherichia Coli Trypyophan Operon

Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Yildirim,Necmettin

Keywords

E. coli, Sensitivity Analysis, Operons

Area of Concentration

Natural Sciences

Abstract

Operons are collections of genetic elements including protein coding genes and regulatory binding sites. Operon dynamics can be described by a system of differential equations which define a set of relationships among variables and parameters. The collection of equations models regulation of gene expression in a cell. Mathematical techniques, such as sensitivity analysis, can be used to investigate possible regulatory mechanisms in these simulated biological networks. Sensitivity analysis explores how the network variables, in this case concentrations, respond to small changes in network parameter values, such as reaction rates. The Computer Algebra System Maple generates the sensitivity equations, which are transferred to Matlab, to perform sensitivity analysis. This thesis provides an analysis of local parameter sensitivity in the Mackey-Santillan model of E. coli tryptophan operon using computer-aided calculus. The main result is a demonstration that tryptophan concentration is the most sensitive variable with transcriptional attenuation as the most sensitive parameter.

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