In addition to representing a powerful research paradigm, genome-scale metabolic modeling offers numerous opportunities as a platform for educational and training tool development. Models can be inconspicuously embedded within software tools to allow students and practitioners access to the full capabilities of metabolic modeling without emphasis on the associated metabolic network properties, mathematical underpinnings and implementation details. Consequently, students can focus on learning basic concepts that are the usual emphasis of their academic studies and practitioners can assess the utility of metabolic modeling within their existing workflows.
In Silico Fermentation has been developing a suite of free MATLAB GUI applications that provide users with detailed tutorials that address important concepts in microbial systems engineering. These tutorials build upon and strategically simplify our apps developed for research applications. We provide detailed guidance through each app workflow so users can focus on the engineering problem, such as medium design or bioreactor dynamics, and/or develop improved functionality with the full research apps.
The following two tutorial apps have been released thus far.
- STBRtutorial – Understanding the Dynamic Behavior of Stirred Tank Bioreactors (first release January 2025)
- MediunFBAtutorial – Understanding Flux Balance Analysis with Genome-Scale Metabolic Models (first release January 2026)
Please contact us by email if you would like to learn more about these education-oriented apps.
