The biomass objective function

Abstract

Flux balance analysis (FBA) is a mathematical approach for analyzing the flow of metabolites through a metabolic network. To computationally predict cell growth using FBA, one has to determine the biomass objective function that describes the rate at which all of the biomass precursors are made in the correct proportions. Here we review fundamental issues associated with its formulation and use to compute optimal growth states. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.