Flux balance analysis and thermodynamics: Trends and strategies in disease biology

Computational systems biology emphasizes on modeling biological systems mathematically and computationally for analyzing their role in solving complex processes. One of the applications of systems biology is understanding disease networks, for which various strategies such as, decisionmaking stochastic networks, graph theory based methods, robust control theory, elementary flux modes, extreme pathways, convex analysis, flux variability analysis and phenotype phase planes are used. For judging the stability of a metabolic network, a sound knowledge of bioenergetics as well as free energy concepts regarding metabolic systems are essential. In this manuscript, we have explored the possible application of flux balance analysis in disease networks in correspondence with group contribution method pertaining to the field of thermodynamics for studying the stability of biological systems.