Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: In this paper we study how to determine if a linear biochemical network satisfies the detailed balance condition, without knowing the details of all the reactions taking place in the network. To this end, we use the formalism of response functions $$R_{ij} (t) $$ R ij ( t ) that measure how the system reacts to the injection of the substance j at time $$t=0$$ t = 0 , by measuring the concentration of the substance $$i \ne j$$ i ≠ j for $$t >0$$ t > 0 . In particular, we obtain a condition involving two reciprocal measurements (that is $$R_{ij}(t)$$ R ij ( t ) , $$R_{ji}(t)$$ R ji ( t ) ) that is necessary, but not sufficient, for the detailed balance condition to hold in the network. Moreover, we prove that this necessary condition is also sufficient if a topological condition is satisfied by the graph associated to the network, as well as a stability property that guarantees that the chemical rates are not fine-tuned.
Institutions: University of Bonn, University of Zurich
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W7148892319