BaMFA

BaMFA (Bayesian Metabolic Flux Analysis) is a software tool for metabolic flux analysis using a probabilistic Bayesian approach. Unlike conventional methods like FBA (Flux Balance Analysis), which rely on linear programming and do not account for uncertainty, BaMFA models the entire genome-scale metabolic network in probabilistic terms. It can infer the full flux vector distribution based on exchange and intracellular flux measurements (e.g., from 13C data), steady-state assumptions, and objective function assumptions.

Key features of BaMFA include:

1. Joint modeling of all fluxes in a truncated multivariate posterior distribution, revealing informative flux couplings.

2. Plug-in replacement for conventional metabolic balance methods like FBA.

3. Ability to characterize genome-scale flux covariances and determine more intracellular unobserved fluxes compared to flux variability analysis, as demonstrated in experiments with Clostridium acetobutylicum.

BaMFA is implemented as a COBRA-compatible software.