Control of complex biological networks: theory and applications

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25330351
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Life / Health / Medical informatics
• Research Institution: Toho University
• Principal Investigator: JOSE Nacher 東邦大学, 理学部, 教授 (60452984)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ネットワーク制御性 / 支配集合 / 情報解析 / タンパク質ネットワーク / 代謝ネットワーク / 数理モデル / 複雑ネットワーク

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Network controllability combines control theory concepts with network science in order to control large-scale systems. In this research, we have developed new fast algorithms and mathematical tools to investigate controllabiity in real biological networks.

By using a minimum dominating set (MDS)-based model, which is also suitable for non-linear systems, together with efficient graph reduction techniques, mathematical theorems and theoretical mean-field theory approaches, we could identify a small set of critical driver nodes (genes or proteins) which can control the entire protein network. Remarkably, statistical analysis showed that the identified driver sets tend to be associated to important biological functions and human diseases.

Free Research Field

生物情報学