A method of `speed coefficients' for biochemical model reduction applied to the NF-kappaB system

The relationship between components of biochemical network and the resulting dynamics of the overall system is a key focus of computational biology. However, as these networks and resulting mathematical models are inherently complex and non-linear, the understanding of this relationship becomes challenging. Among many approaches, model reduction methods provide an avenue to extract components responsible for the key dynamical features of the system. Unfortunately, these approaches often require intuition to apply. In this manuscript we propose a practical algorithm for the reduction of biochemical reaction systems using fast-slow asympThis study was supported in part by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) grants BBF0059381 and BBF5290031. Dr P. Paszek holds a BBSRC David Phillips Research Fellowship (BB/I017976/1). S. West Institute of Integrative Biology, Crown Street, University of Liverpool, L69 7ZB Tel.: +151-795-4454 E-mail: [email protected] L.J. Bridge Faculty of Life Science, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT Tel.: +161-275-1834 E-mail: [email protected] M. White Faculty of Life Science, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT Tel.: +161-275-1834 E-mail: [email protected] P. Paszek Faculty of Life Science, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT Tel.: +161-275-1734 E-mail: [email protected] V. N. Biktashev College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter EX4 4QF Tel.: +1392-72-6636 E-mail: [email protected]