The accuracy of linear flux models in predicting reaction rate profiles in a model biochemical reaction system
Master Thesis
2014
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
Metabolic flux analysis is commonly used in the modelling of biochemical reactions. The use of MFA models has gained large amounts of interest due to the simplicity of the computational procedures required for the model, and the exclusion of difficult to measure intracellular reaction data. There are many examples of the use of MFA models in literature studies in a number of applications, ranging from the medical industry through to the development of novel biochemical processes. Little to no mention is provided in literature studies regarding the applicability of the MFA model to a specified set of reaction data. Furthermore, the techniques and routines used to compute the flux models are not well described in these studies. The objectives of this research were to determine the sensitivity of the MFA models to various operating and kinetic parameters and to highlight the considerations required when setting up the computational routine used to solve the flux balances. The study was conducted using a model pathway populated with a set of hypothetical elemental reactions and branch points. The model pathway was used in this study to negate the affects of complex regulatory biochemical architectures which are not well described in literature. The use of the model pathway ensured that the reaction system was thermodynamically feasible and there was consistency in the mass balances. The exclusion of the complex regulatory reactions did not affect the accuracy of the results generated in this study. A set of reaction mechanisms were used to describe each reaction step and were populated with parameters reference from literature. The cellular and reactor mass balances were generated using correlations presented in literature.
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Reference:
Hughes, A. 2014. The accuracy of linear flux models in predicting reaction rate profiles in a model biochemical reaction system. University of Cape Town.