An algorithm to detect and communicate the differences in computational models describing biological systems.
BACKGROUND
Repositories support the reuse of models and ensure transparency about results in publications linked to those models. With thousands of models available in repositories, such as the BioModels database or the Physiome Model Repository, a framework to track the differences between models and their versions is essential to compare and combine models. Difference detection not only allows users to study the history of models but also helps in the detection of errors and inconsistencies. Existing repositories lack algorithms to track a model's development over time.


RESULTS
Focusing on SBML and CellML, we present an algorithm to accurately detect and describe differences between coexisting versions of a model with respect to (i) the models' encoding, (ii) the structure of biological networks and (iii) mathematical expressions. This algorithm is implemented in a comprehensive and open source library called BiVeS. BiVeS helps to identify and characterize changes in computational models and thereby contributes to the documentation of a model's history. Our work facilitates the reuse and extension of existing models and supports collaborative modelling. Finally, it contributes to better reproducibility of modelling results and to the challenge of model provenance.


METHODS
The workflow described in this article is implemented in BiVeS. BiVeS is freely available as source code and binary from sems.uni-rostock.de. The web interface BudHat demonstrates the capabilities of BiVeS at budhat.sems.uni-rostock.de.
Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany and.
Martin
M
Scharm
Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany and Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Olaf
O
Wolkenhauer
Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany and.
Dagmar
D
Waltemath
D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D049490:Systems Biology / Q000379:methods*; D057188:Workflow