Metfba a Web Based Tool for Flux Balance Analysis

Abstract

Flux Balance Analysis (FBA) is a constraint based approach used for the analysis of metabolic networks. FBA calculates the flow of metabolites through the metabolic networks. This method enforces constraints on a metabolic system and using mathematical approach of linear programming, gives optimal solution for a given objective function. FBA has been gaining ground since the past few years because of increase in the availability of pathway data in multiple databases. We have developed a web based tool, MetFBA (Metabolic Flux Balance Analysis), for analyzing the metabolic networks. For the optimization, we have used GNU Linear Programming Kit (GLPK). This tool gives the final output as the optimized value of the objective function and also the values involved with each of the fluxes.