Visualizing the Results of Metabolic Pathway Queries

Abstract

Biology contains a wealth of network data, such as metabolic, transcription, signaling and protein-protein interaction networks. Our research currently focuses on metabolic networks, although similar ideas may be applied to other biological networks. Metabolic networks consist of the chemical compounds and reactions necessary to support life. Traditionally, series of successive metabolic reactions have been organized into simple metabolic pathways and manually drawn. However, as we move into the era of systems biology, it is becoming apparent that automated ways of processing and visualizing metabolic networks must be developed.