An ensemble approach to the study of the emergence of metabolic and proliferative disorders via Flux Balance Analysis

摘要

An extensive rewiring of cell metabolism supports enhanced proliferation incancer cells. We propose a systems level approach to describe this phenomenonbased on Flux Balance Analysis (FBA). The approach does not explicit a cellbiomass formation reaction to be maximized, but takes into account an ensembleof alternative flux distributions that match the cancer metabolic rewiring(CMR) phenotype description. The underlying concept is that the analysis thecommon/distinguishing properties of the ensemble can provide indications on howCMR is achieved and sustained and thus on how it can be controlled.