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Target Identification
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The anlysis of the metabolic network yields a target (red X) that is to be inhibited. |
Scientists can unravel the metabolism of an organism by studying their metabolic and regulatory networks.
First and foremost, in the human body, deviations of normal function are interesting since these are frequently causes of disease. If the origin of a disease is understood, the metabolic networks can help to perform a more precise analysis and to find targets for a possible treatment.
Targets can be proteins catalysing metabolic reactions. If a malfunctioning protein has been found, drugs can be developed to influence its activity and to remove the source of the disease. The use of the network models also enables to analyze possible side effects in the body that a treatment must avoid.
