Exploiting balanced trees in the computation of elementary flux modes via breadth-first search

dc.contributor.advisorCox, Steven J.
dc.creatorAcosta, Fernando
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-04T08:17:41Z
dc.date.available2009-06-04T08:17:41Z
dc.date.issued2006
dc.description.abstractIn order to rationally design bacteria to produce large quantities of their precious metabolic by-products, we must first understand the metabolic pathways that lead from a starting material (e.g., glucose) to a metabolic product (e.g., hydrogen). Given a set of reactions, elementary flux modes can be used to mathematically define all metabolic pathways that are stoichiometrically and thermodynamically feasible. The elementary flux modes are the intersections of positive halfspaces, or the vertices of a convex polyhedron. Although linear programing has long been used to examine polyhedra, biologists have yet to use linear programming's full functionality to rationally design bacteria. The simplex method is one relevant linear programming function that pivots from one vertex of a polyhedron to another. The breadth-first search uses a simplex-like pivot to list every possible vertex of a polyhedron. When listing a polyhedron's vertices, it is important not to repeat vertices and thus a robust search algorithm is needed. I have employed balanced trees to speed up the breadth-first search. Specific examples, including the maximization of succinate production, will be investigated and the vertices of the mixed acid fermentation process in E. coli will be enumerated. The open source Matlab code along with a GUI will be provided, as well as links to m-files, which are available on the Internet.
dc.format.extent81 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS MATH.SCI. 2006 ACOSTA
dc.identifier.citationAcosta, Fernando. "Exploiting balanced trees in the computation of elementary flux modes via breadth-first search." (2006) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/17862">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/17862</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/17862
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectOperations research
dc.subjectComputer science
dc.titleExploiting balanced trees in the computation of elementary flux modes via breadth-first search
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentMathematical Sciences
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineering
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts
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