Statistical mechanics of interacting metabolic networks.

摘要: We cast the metabolism of interacting cells within a statistical mechanics framework considering both actual phenotypic capacities each cell and its interaction with neighbors. Reaction fluxes will be components high-dimensional spin vectors, whose values constrained by stochiometry energy requirements metabolism. Within this picture, finding states population turns out to equivalent searching for equilibrium disordered model. provide general solution problem arbitrary metabolic networks interactions. apply simplified model complex network, central core Escherichia coli, demonstrate that combination selective pressure interactions defines space. also present numerical results fixed in grid. These reproduce qualitative picture discussed mean-field Cells may specialize producing or consuming metabolites complementing other, is described an phase space multiple minima, like spin-glass