Fluxbalanseanalyse

Fluxbalanseanalyse, often abbreviated as FBA, is a computational method used to predict the metabolic activity of a biological system. It is based on the principle of mass balance and assumes that metabolic networks operate at steady state. In this state, the rate of production of each metabolite within the network is equal to its rate of consumption. FBA uses a stoichiometric model of the metabolic network, which is a matrix representing the biochemical reactions and the relationships between the involved metabolites.

The core of FBA involves defining an objective function, which is typically the maximization or minimization of a specific metabolic process, such as the production of a desired product or the overall growth rate of the organism. By solving a linear programming problem, FBA determines the flux distribution (the rate of flow through each reaction) that optimizes the chosen objective function while adhering to the constraints of mass balance and other biological limitations like enzyme capacities or substrate availability.

FBA has found widespread applications in systems biology for understanding cellular metabolism, identifying potential drug targets, and engineering microorganisms for biotechnological purposes. It can predict how changes in nutrient availability or genetic modifications might affect metabolic pathways. While FBA provides valuable insights, it is important to note that it relies on a simplified representation of cellular processes and does not account for regulatory mechanisms or dynamic changes over time. Nevertheless, it remains a powerful tool for analyzing and understanding metabolic networks.