Modeling of CHO metabolism and glucose breakdown by Petri-Nets (PN)

In this paper, we present one of discrete-event simulation modeling methods of biological process, Petri-Nets (PN). Carbohydrate metabolism, which plays an important role in the regulation of the glucose concentration in the blood, is modeled using PNs. In particular, we study application of Petri-Nets (PN) to model the processes of carbohydrate catabolism in a compact notation. The model does not show all the molecular and biochemical reaction that take place in each step. The breakdown of carbohydrate occurs in a series of steps and the final outcome of the carbohydrate anabolism is generation of ATP, water and carbon dioxide as it is shown in figures. During this process some of the potential energy stored in the hexose structure is released and used to derive the synthesis of ATP from ADP. There will be give an overview of the carbohydrate metabolism and a Petri net model would be constructed for the carbohydrate metabolism, which will show all the involved pathways in carbohydrate metabolism. However since the emphasis of this paper is on application of Petri net rather than the underlying molecular aspects, the molecular and biological events and reactions are not covered in depth. Only the most important reactions and processes of the carbohydrate metabolism, that are needed as an input data for building a Petri net model, are described. The Petri net model is developed using Petri net tools which allows graphical editing, analysis and simulation of Petri net models.