Falsifying Oscillation Properties of Parametric Biological Models

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method for falsifying oscillation properties in parametric biological models using hybrid automata, enabling targeted exploration of behaviors that violate specified oscillation criteria.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach combining hybrid automata with system testing techniques to verify oscillation properties in biological models.

Findings

Successfully applied to Laub-Loomis model of Dictyostelium

Demonstrates effectiveness in identifying non-oscillatory behaviors

Provides a systematic framework for model falsification

Abstract

We propose an approach to falsification of oscillation properties of parametric biological models, based on the recently developed techniques for testing continuous and hybrid systems. In this approach, an oscillation property can be specified using a hybrid automaton, which is then used to guide the exploration in the state and input spaces to search for the behaviors that do not satisfy the property. We illustrate the approach with the Laub-Loomis model for spontaneous oscillations during the aggregation stage of Dictyostelium.