improving the plug-in interface for celldesigner

8/12/2019 Improving the Plug-in interface for CellDesigner

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Improving the Plug-in interface for CellDesigner

March 19, 2014

1. AbstractProducing computational representations of the biological cell has always been difficult due to

the sheer number of network components interacting with one another. However, software

tools such as CellDesigner provide an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) that combines both

a graphical editor and numerical solving capabilities to model biochemical networks.

Version 4.3 of CellDesigner uses the Systems Biology Simulation Core Library, which requires a

Java function library for the Systems Biology Markup Language (JSMBL). However, CellDesigner

itself is based on libSBML, a hybrid C/C++ library with Java wrappers. Unfortunately, the usage

of libSBML introduces platform-dependency. In order to eliminate this problem, subsequentversions of CellDesigner will be based on JSBML rather than libSBML, as the Java language itself

is platform-independent.

This would lead one to assume that programs written in JSBML would easily be used with a

JSBML-based CellDesigner. However, this is not the case. CellDesigner does not allow plugins to

directly access its internal data structure, but rather through an API. As such, a program written

in JSBML would need to be substantially re-written in order to function in CellDesigner. To

mitigate this problem, the JSBML/CellDesigner plug-in interface has been augmented to allow a

program written in JSBML to map CellDesignersplug-in data structure to a JSMBL datastructure. This will guarantee inter-operability between programs written in JSBML and

CellDesigner and will also automatically update JSBML data structures upon changes within

CellDesigner. However, CellDesigners plug-ins can access additional information that the

existing JSBML/CellDesigner interface cannot import. This includes in particular the layout of

the network with node position, size etc. as well as rendering information about the color of

network components, their shapes, line widths and styles, and much more.

This proposal attempts to alleviate these issues via a three-pronged approach. First, the SMBL

Layout Extension and Render Extension will be used to clone the CellDesigner network layoutand other related information. Second, JSBML-based plugins will pull data from CellDesigner so

the holistic qualities (node position, color, shape, etc.) of the CellDesigner model will be

equivalently represented in JSBML. Finally, a test plug-in will be developed that will randomly

generate a biochemical network (with certain node positions, colors, sizes, etc) and will be

written in JSBML. This program would be able to be converted into a CellDesigner plug-in very


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easily while testing all new functions.

2. Personal Information/BackgroundName: Ibrahim Vazirabad

Address: 3011 East Cudahy Avenue, Saint Francis WI, USA

E-mail:[email protected]

Telephone: +1-414-482-4299

I graduated in May 2013 with a Bachelors degree in BioMolecular Engineering from the

Milwaukee School of Engineering in the USA. My bachelors degree introduced me to statistics,

linear algebra, molecular biology, synthetic biology, and bioinformatics, among other fields. I

have previously worked in the bioinformatics field developing a team-built clinical genomic

software package called Carpe Novo. Carpe Novo is a program that annotates pathogenic

genetic variants for clinicians and is based on in-house genetic variant databases with a web-

based interface for easy access. Through this experience, I have found that I want to continue

merging my passion for biology and computational analysis via bioinformatics algorithm

development.

I have been primarily using Java for my algorithm development, although I have used JavaScript

and HTML/CSS when needed. I also work routinely in both Windows and Linux environments,

which would allow me to test new code on both platforms.

I am interested in working with JSBML and the CellDesigner application because the complexity

of biochemical pathways has always been an interest of mine. Systematically applying

computational principles to detangle the web of biochemical network interactions gives me a

much better sense of how large-scale real world applications are structured as well as the

desire to work within this framework.

3. Project PlanEvery week:Communicate with mailing list and advisors often.

Calendar Week Proposed Tasks

17 This is the pre-coding stage. I intend on becoming settled into the JSBML

development community via communication with senior members. During

this time, I hope to communicate with developers at the HARMONY

conference during week 17. I will also look into Systems Biology Graphical

Notation (SBGN).

18-20 I will read the relevant literature on SBML, CellDesigner, and JSBML.

Proposed literature is detailed in Section 5 of this document. I will also
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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familiarize myself with the JSBML and CellDesigner code base.

21 Continue CellDesigner and JSBML code base analysis, tinker and test.

22 Becoming familiar with SMBL Layout Extension and Render Extension.

23 Begin work on updating SBML via CellDesigner listeners.

24 Continue work on cloning network layout.

25 Finish up work.

26 Make sure all code is documented and User Guide addition drafts are

written.

27 Clone CellDesigner network state/node qualities into JSBML.

28 Clone CellDesigner network state/node qualities into SBML format.

29 Clone CellDesigner network state/node qualities into SBML format.

30 Begin writing test plug-in that checks newly written functions

31 Continue plug-in work.

32 Prepare for end of project.33 Wrap up loose ends if necessary. I would use this as a buffer period if I fell

behind.

4. AvailabilityI currently work as a part-time contractor performing 16S rRNA analysis for a small waste-water

analysis company. I have also been accepted to a Masters program in Bioinformatics at

Marquette University in the USA which starts at the end of August 2014. As such, I have no

doubts that my first priority would be to accomplish the goals set forth in my Project Plan as I

have no other coursework or employment that would distract me from applying full effort.

As I intend on pursuing a career in bioinformatics, I would be very willing to continue

contributing time and effort towards the JSBML project after the summer is completed.

I have not applied to any other GSoC project.

5. List of JSBML-related LiteratureSBML Specifications: http://sbml.org/Documents/Specifications

Drger, A., Hassis, N., Supper, J., Schrder, A. & Zell, A. SBMLsqueezer: a CellDesigner plug-in to

generate kinetic rate equations for biochemical networks. BMC Syst. Biol.2,39 (2008).

Gauges, R., Rost, U., Sahle, S. & Wegner, K. A model diagram layout extension for SBML.

Bioinformatics22,187985 (2006).


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Shen, S. Y., Bergmann, F. & Sauro, H. M. SBML2TikZ: supporting the SBML render extension in

LaTeX. Bioinformatics26,27945 (2010).

Drger, A. et al.JSBML: a flexible Java library for working with SBML. Bioinformatics27,21678

(2011).

Funahashi, A. et al.CellDesigner : a process diagram editor for gene-regulatory and. 1,159162(2003).

Funahashi, A et al.CellDesigner: A Graphical Biological Network Editor and Workbench

Interfacing Simulator. Introduction to Systems Biology. 422-434 (2007).

Gauges, R., Sahle, S., Wegner, K. Complementing layout information with render information in

SBML files, 1-69 (2011).

Bergmann, F., Gauges, R., Sahle, S., Rost, U., Wegner, K. SBML Level 3 Package: Layout (layout).

1-52 (2013). http://co.mbine.org/specifications/sbml.level-3.version-1.layout.version-1.release-

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