Zero-Retroactivity Subtraction Module for Embedded Feedback Control of Chemical Reaction Networks

The control of biochemical processes is a major goal in systems and synthetic biology. Current approaches are based on ad-hoc designs, whereas a general and modular framework would be highly desirable, in order to exploit the well-assessed methods of control theory. A well-known problem when dealing with complex biosystems is represented by the retroactivity effect, which can significantly modify the dynamics of interconnected subsystem, with respect to the behavior they exhibit when disconnected from each other. In the present work an implementation of a zero-retroactivity Chemical Reaction Network Subtractor (CRNS) is proposed and its effectiveness is investigated through singular perturbation analysis. The proposed CRNS represents a first step towards the development of a modular framework for the design of CRN-based embedded feedback control systems.