Quantification of Biological Robustness at the Systemic Level

TL;DR

This paper introduces a formal computational scheme to quantify biological robustness by measuring negative entropy through a game-theoretic approach, with potential applications in cancer and antiviral research.

Contribution

It presents a novel game-theoretic methodology to quantify biological robustness and negative entropy, offering a new perspective in systems biology and immunology.

Findings

Nash equilibrium analogue measures TCA cycle robustness

Synchronization profiles correlate with negative entropy and robustness

Results validated with deterministic simulation methods

Abstract

Biological systems possess negative entropy. In them, one form of order produces another, more organized form of order. We propose a formal scheme to calculate robustness of an entire biological system by quantifying the negative entropy present in it. Our Methodology is based upon a computational implementation of two-person non-cooperative finite zero-sum game between positive (physico-chemical) and negative (biological) entropy, present in the system(TCA cycle, for this work). Biochemical analogue of Nash equilibrium, proposed here, could measure the robustness in TCA cycle in exact numeric terms, whereas the mixed strategy game between these entropies could quantitate the progression of stages of biological adaptation. Synchronization profile amongst macromolecular concentrations (even under environmental perturbations) is found to account for negative entropy and biological robustness. Emergence of synchronization profile was investigated with dynamically varying metabolite concentrations. Obtained results were verified with that from the deterministic simulation methods. Categorical plans to apply this algorithm in Cancer studies and anti-viral therapies are proposed alongside. From theoretical perspective, this work proposes a general, rigorous and alternative view of immunology.