Quantitative assessment of biological effects using mechanistic network models

摘要

A method to score a causally consistent network is provided by transforming the network into a hypothesis subnetwork, called a “HYP” (if the nodes have associated measurements) or a “meta-HYP” (if the nodes are themselves HYPs), and then applying known HYP scoring methods (e.g. (NPA, GPI, or the like) based on measurements or scores associated with nodes in the subnetwork. A method also is described for creating a HYP or meta-HYP with weights associated with each downstream node from a causally inconsistent network using a computational technique such as sampling of spanning trees. A further aspect is a method to transform a meta-HYP (with or without weights associated with each downstream node) into a HYP using the weights associated with each downstream node (where the weights are based on the scoring algorithms intended at the meta-HYP and HYP levels).