From Logical Regulatory Graphs to Standard Petri Nets: Dynamical Roles and Functionality of Feedback Circuits

Logical modelling and Petri nets constitute two complementary approaches for the dynamical modelling of biological regulatory networks. Leaning on a translation of logical models into standard Petri nets, we propose a formalisation of the notion of circuit functionality in the Petri net framework. This approach is illustrated with the modelling and analysis of a molecular regulatory network involved in the control of Th-lymphocyte differentiation.