FluxAnalyzer: exploring structure, pathways, and flux distributions in metabolic networks on interactive flux maps.
BACKGROUND
The analysis of structure, pathways and flux distributions in metabolic networks has become an important approach for understanding the functionality of metabolic systems. The need of a user-friendly platform for stoichiometric modeling of metabolic networks in silico is evident.


RESULTS
The FluxAnalyzer is a package for MATLAB and facilitates integrated pathway and flux analysis for metabolic networks within a graphical user interface. Arbitrary metabolic network models can be composed by instances of four types of network elements. The abstract network model is linked with network graphics leading to interactive flux maps which allow for user input and display of calculation results within a network visualization. Therein, a large and powerful collection of tools and algorithms can be applied interactively including metabolic flux analysis, flux optimization, detection of topological features and pathway analysis by elementary flux modes or extreme pathways. The FluxAnalyzer has been applied and tested for complex networks with more than 500,000 elementary modes. Some aspects of the combinatorial complexity of pathway analysis in metabolic networks are discussed.


BACKGROUND
Upon request from the corresponding author. Free for academic users (license agreement). Special contracts are available for industrial corporations.


BACKGROUND
http://www.mpi-magdeburg.mpg.de/projects/fluxanalyzer.
Klamt
Steffen
S
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstrasse 1, D-39106 Magdeburg, Germany. klamt@mpi-magdeburg.mpg.de
Stelling
Jörg
J
Ginkel
Martin
M
Gilles
Ernst Dieter
ED
D020650:Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008660:Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D012984:Software; D012985:Software Design; D018511:Systems Integration; D014584:User-Computer Interface