Multidimensional Optimality of Microbial Metabolism

Abstract

Metabolic Networking Understanding complex biological networks, such as those underlying cellular metabolism, requires evaluation not only of the network connections but also the flux through the various biochemical pathways. Schuetz et al. (p. 601 ) explored the evolutionary constraints that appear to be most critical for the metabolic network in the bacteria Escherichia coli using a combination of experimental tests of reaction flux under various conditions along with mathematical modeling. As a pathway evolves, there are likely to be competing objectives that must be satisfied. Key objectives for the bacterium were strong performance under a given environmental condition, balanced by a requirement for adaptability—minimizing the adjustments required to respond to changed conditions.