|
| | | |
Selfish-brain Theory: Challenges in the Top-down Analysis of Metabolic Supply Chains
Langemann, D.
The Selfish-brain theory has created the theoretical
basis for the systemic analysis of the energy
metabolism in terms of a supply chain. The energy
in form of glucose equivalents is transported from the
exterior environment into the brain where it is finally
consumed as ATP in the neurons. The transport process
is governed by the brain itself as regulatory authority.
We discuss general supply chains and certain
components to understand regulatory mechanisms in
metabolic supply chains. Push and pull mechanisms
are distinguished and discussed in detail. The dynamical
systems describing supply chains are related
to partial differential equations and they inherit their
properties.
Furthermore, certain components like side compartments
are regarded which act as short-time store.
Examples are glycogen in the glycolysis or the fat
compartment in the individual metabolism. Similar
supply chains and regulatory mechanisms can be
identified at different levels.
Due to the large amount of regulative substances
and hormones involved in the regulation and the lack
of quantitative knowledge, a bottom-up modelling
fails and minimal models can provide a qualitative
understanding. There are several observations and
experimental results, from which certain properties
of the supply chains can be deduced. A top-down
analysis identifies crucial elements and allows a virtual
pre-selection of experiments.
Finally, we present hierarchically ordered regulatory
loops for the allocation, the appetite and the exploration
for the simulation of daily cyclic behaviour
and its development on a medium-term time-scale.
Metabolic diseases can be understood as disturbances
or congestions in the supply chain. |
Cite as: Langemann, D. (2007). Selfish-brain Theory: Challenges in the Top-down Analysis of Metabolic Supply Chains. In Proc. Tutorials, posters, panels and industrial contributions at the 26th International Conference on Conceptual Modeling - ER 2007 Auckland, New Zealand. CRPIT, 83. Grundy, J., Hartmann, S., Laender, A. H. F., Maciaszek, L. and Roddick, J. F., Eds. ACS. 39-49. |
(from crpit.com)
(local if available)
|
|