Noise Propagation in Biological and Chemical Reaction Networks

Abstract: We describe how noise propagates through a network by calculating the variance of the outputs. Using stochastic calculus and dynamical systems theory, we study the network topologies that accentuate or alleviate the effect of random variance in the network for both directed and undirected graphs. Given a linear tree network, the variance in the output is a convex function of the poles of the individual nodes. Cycles create correlations which in turn increase the variance in the output. Feedforward and feedback have a limited effect on noise propagation when the respective cycles is sufficiently long. Crosstalk between the elements of different pathways helps reduce the output noise, but makes the network slower. Next, we study the differences between disturbances in the inputs and disturbances in the network parameters, and how they propagate to the outputs. Finally, we show how noise correlations can affect the steady state of the system in chemical reaction networks with reactions of two or more reactants, each of which may be affected by independent or correlated noise sources.