Global optimization applied to kinetic models of metabolic networks

Identifier:  TDX:1137

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX1137

Authors:  Pozo Fernández, Carlos

Abstract:
In recent years, the use of genetic manipulation techniques has opened the door for obtaining microorganisms with enhanced phenotypes, which has in turn led to significant improvements in the synthesis of certain biochemical products. However, mutation and selection of these new organisms has been performed, in most cases, in a trial-and-error basis. It is expected that these processes could be further improved if quantitative design principles were used to guide the search towards the ideal enzymatic profiles. This thesis is devoted to developing a set of advanced global optimization tools to assess metabolic engineering problems and other questions arising in systems biology. In particular, we focus on problems where metabolic networks are modeled making use of kinetic expressions. The usefulness of the algorithms developed to solve such problems is demonstrated by means of several case studies.