Automatically deriving ODEs from process algebra models of signalling pathways

Abstract

Abstract. Differential equations are a classical approach for biochemical system modelling and have frequently been used to describe reactions of interest in biochemical pathways. Process algebras have also been applied in a small number of cases to describe such systems. In this paper we establish a connection between these approaches. This has the benefit of allowing process algebra models to be validated against trusted ODEs or, conversely, allowing ODEs derived from process algebra models to be evaluated and compared using bisimulation or other methods. In addition the process algebra models may now be efficiently solved using numerical differential equations procedures such as adaptive fifth-order Runge-Kutta. 1