Intrinsic noise analyzer: a software package for the exploration of stochastic biochemical kinetics using the system size expansion.

The accepted stochastic descriptions of biochemical dynamics under well-mixed conditions are given by the Chemical Master Equation and the Stochastic Simulation Algorithm, which are equivalent. The latter is a Monte-Carlo method, which, despite enjoying broad availability in a large number of existi...

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Main Authors: Philipp Thomas, Hannes Matuschek, Ramon Grima
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2012-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/22723865/pdf/?tool=EBI
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author Philipp Thomas
Hannes Matuschek
Ramon Grima
author_facet Philipp Thomas
Hannes Matuschek
Ramon Grima
author_sort Philipp Thomas
collection DOAJ
description The accepted stochastic descriptions of biochemical dynamics under well-mixed conditions are given by the Chemical Master Equation and the Stochastic Simulation Algorithm, which are equivalent. The latter is a Monte-Carlo method, which, despite enjoying broad availability in a large number of existing software packages, is computationally expensive due to the huge amounts of ensemble averaging required for obtaining accurate statistical information. The former is a set of coupled differential-difference equations for the probability of the system being in any one of the possible mesoscopic states; these equations are typically computationally intractable because of the inherently large state space. Here we introduce the software package intrinsic Noise Analyzer (iNA), which allows for systematic analysis of stochastic biochemical kinetics by means of van Kampen's system size expansion of the Chemical Master Equation. iNA is platform independent and supports the popular SBML format natively. The present implementation is the first to adopt a complementary approach that combines state-of-the-art analysis tools using the computer algebra system Ginac with traditional methods of stochastic simulation. iNA integrates two approximation methods based on the system size expansion, the Linear Noise Approximation and effective mesoscopic rate equations, which to-date have not been available to non-expert users, into an easy-to-use graphical user interface. In particular, the present methods allow for quick approximate analysis of time-dependent mean concentrations, variances, covariances and correlations coefficients, which typically outperforms stochastic simulations. These analytical tools are complemented by automated multi-core stochastic simulations with direct statistical evaluation and visualization. We showcase iNA's performance by using it to explore the stochastic properties of cooperative and non-cooperative enzyme kinetics and a gene network associated with circadian rhythms. The software iNA is freely available as executable binaries for Linux, MacOSX and Microsoft Windows, as well as the full source code under an open source license.
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spelling doaj.art-72a7c606284c49478bbc85d24606dc232022-12-21T22:44:21ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032012-01-0176e3851810.1371/journal.pone.0038518Intrinsic noise analyzer: a software package for the exploration of stochastic biochemical kinetics using the system size expansion.Philipp ThomasHannes MatuschekRamon GrimaThe accepted stochastic descriptions of biochemical dynamics under well-mixed conditions are given by the Chemical Master Equation and the Stochastic Simulation Algorithm, which are equivalent. The latter is a Monte-Carlo method, which, despite enjoying broad availability in a large number of existing software packages, is computationally expensive due to the huge amounts of ensemble averaging required for obtaining accurate statistical information. The former is a set of coupled differential-difference equations for the probability of the system being in any one of the possible mesoscopic states; these equations are typically computationally intractable because of the inherently large state space. Here we introduce the software package intrinsic Noise Analyzer (iNA), which allows for systematic analysis of stochastic biochemical kinetics by means of van Kampen's system size expansion of the Chemical Master Equation. iNA is platform independent and supports the popular SBML format natively. The present implementation is the first to adopt a complementary approach that combines state-of-the-art analysis tools using the computer algebra system Ginac with traditional methods of stochastic simulation. iNA integrates two approximation methods based on the system size expansion, the Linear Noise Approximation and effective mesoscopic rate equations, which to-date have not been available to non-expert users, into an easy-to-use graphical user interface. In particular, the present methods allow for quick approximate analysis of time-dependent mean concentrations, variances, covariances and correlations coefficients, which typically outperforms stochastic simulations. These analytical tools are complemented by automated multi-core stochastic simulations with direct statistical evaluation and visualization. We showcase iNA's performance by using it to explore the stochastic properties of cooperative and non-cooperative enzyme kinetics and a gene network associated with circadian rhythms. The software iNA is freely available as executable binaries for Linux, MacOSX and Microsoft Windows, as well as the full source code under an open source license.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/22723865/pdf/?tool=EBI
spellingShingle Philipp Thomas
Hannes Matuschek
Ramon Grima
Intrinsic noise analyzer: a software package for the exploration of stochastic biochemical kinetics using the system size expansion.
PLoS ONE
title Intrinsic noise analyzer: a software package for the exploration of stochastic biochemical kinetics using the system size expansion.
title_full Intrinsic noise analyzer: a software package for the exploration of stochastic biochemical kinetics using the system size expansion.
title_fullStr Intrinsic noise analyzer: a software package for the exploration of stochastic biochemical kinetics using the system size expansion.
title_full_unstemmed Intrinsic noise analyzer: a software package for the exploration of stochastic biochemical kinetics using the system size expansion.
title_short Intrinsic noise analyzer: a software package for the exploration of stochastic biochemical kinetics using the system size expansion.
title_sort intrinsic noise analyzer a software package for the exploration of stochastic biochemical kinetics using the system size expansion
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/22723865/pdf/?tool=EBI
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