Jacqui Wentz
Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado Boulder
Singular value decomposition of the reaction-diffusion stoichiometry matrix
Flux balance analysis (FBA) is a mathematical technique used to study biochemical networks. In contrast to other methods, FBA requires limited information about kinetic parameters and metabolite concentrations. Previously, we developed a method for incorporating spatial information into the FBA framework. This technique involves constructing a stoichiometry matrix that describes both the reactive and diffusive processes. I will present a singular value decomposition (SVD) of the full stoichiometry matrix for a general set of reactions. The SVD allows us to determine the dominate eigenreactions as well as provides an orthonormal basis for the steady-state fluxes in the system. This decomposition will allow us to examine how diffusion affects the overall characteristics of the biochemical network.