GRNmap
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GRNmap: Gene Regulatory Network modeling and parameter estimation
Contents |
Description
A gene regulatory network (GRN) consists of genes, transcription factors, and the regulatory connections between them that govern the level of expression of mRNA and proteins from those genes. The dynamics of a GRN is how gene expression in the network changes over time. Over a period of several years, our group has developed a complex MATLAB software package, called GRNmap, that uses ordinary differential equations to model the dynamics of a 21-transcription factor GRN from budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The program estimates production rates, expression thresholds, and regulatory weights for each transcription factor in the network based on DNA microarray data, and then performs a forward simulation of the dynamics of the network. The large number of developers and time span of development led to a code base that is difficult to revise and adjust. We therefore refactored the script-based software with global variables into a function-based package that uses an object to carry relevant information from function to function. This modular approach allows for cleaner, less ambiguous code and increased maintainability. Further revisions to the model will also be easier to implement. In addition, we have added a simple user interface, removing the need for users to edit MATLAB code. Finally, after the code was refactored and tested, we used the MATLAB compiler to create an executable file that can be run on any Windows machine without the need of a MATLAB license, increasing the accessibility of our program.
Home page
Source code
Executables
- See the GRNmap Downloads page
Supported platforms
- Running GRNmap from code:
- The GRNmap code was developed and tested with MATLAB R2014b; it may not function properly with other versions of MATLAB.
- GRNmap is only compatible with the Windows operating system because of the function it uses to read and write Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. It has only been tested on Windows 7.
- We recommend running GRNmap with a minimum of 8.00 GB of RAM and a 2.40 GHz processor. GRNmap may be compatible with slower systems; the amount of RAM and processor speed will affect the speed with which GRNmap completes the estimation.
- Installing and running the GRNmap stand-alone executable:
- You must have administrator rights or have the MATLAB Runtime Compiler already installed in your machine to use the stand-alone executable.
- The GRNmap executable is only compatible with the Windows operating system because of the function it uses to read and write Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. It has only been tested on Windows 7.
- We recommend running GRNmap with a minimum of 8.00 GB of RAM and a 2.40 GHz processor. GRNmap may be compatible with slower systems; the amount of RAM and processor speed will affect the speed with which GRNmap completes the estimation.
