Identifiability and parameter estimation.
In experiments on biological systems one often cannot measure all state variables (compartments). Given a particular experiment of that type, a basic kinetic parameter may have no effect on the observations; such a parameter is an insensible parameter for that experiment. A parameter may influence the observations and not be uniquely determinable; such a parameter is nonidentifiable for that experiment. Only identifiable parameters can be estimated uniquely, by that experiment. I review the basic theory to check identifiability for a nominal value of a parameter (local identifiability), and present some examples of problems that may arise in estimation.
Jacquez
J A
JA
Department of Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor.
D007700:Kinetics; D008433:Mathematics; D008660:Metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D012984:Software