cobrapy

Run FBA, FVA, and knockout analyses on SBML metabolic models.

4|Updated Mar 2, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/shushuzn/Rairos --skill cobrapy-shushuzn
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: cobrapy
Source: https://github.com/shushuzn/Rairos/tree/main/skills/cobrapy
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/shushuzn/Rairos --skill cobrapy-shushuzn

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

It solves the problem of analyzing constraint-based metabolic models without manually running repetitive, error-prone workflows for growth prediction, gene knockouts, and flux behavior.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Model loading and exchange (SBML/JSON/YAML): Load existing genome-scale metabolic reconstructions and save them in common formats for interoperability across tools.
  • Flux Balance Analysis (FBA) and variants: Predict objective-driven phenotypes such as growth and ATP maintenance, including parsimonious and geometric FBA for more realistic flux distributions.
  • Flux Variability Analysis (FVA): Quantify minimum/maximum flux ranges (including loopless options) to understand which reactions are flexible vs. tightly constrained.
  • Gene and reaction deletion studies: Perform single and double deletions to identify essential components and candidate targets for metabolic engineering.
  • Media/minimal medium design: Configure growth media and compute minimal media compositions for specified performance targets.
  • Flux sampling and production envelopes: Explore the feasible flux space with sampling and compute phenotype phase planes for product/reaction tradeoffs.
  • Gapfilling and model building: Repair infeasible models by adding candidate reactions and construct metabolic models from scratch.

Quick Start

Use the cobrapy skill to run flux balance analysis on an uploaded SBML model and report the predicted objective value and status.

Frequently Asked Questions about cobrapy

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I run flux balance analysis on a genome-scale metabolic model?

To run flux balance analysis, load a genome-scale metabolic reconstruction in SBML, JSON, or YAML format and optimize reaction bounds to predict objective-driven phenotypes such as growth rates and ATP maintenance.

What is flux variability analysis used for in metabolic modeling?

Flux Variability Analysis (FVA) quantifies minimum and maximum flux ranges for reactions, including loopless options, to identify which metabolic reactions are flexible versus tightly constrained within the network.

Can I simulate gene knockouts to identify essential metabolic genes?

Yes, you can perform single and double gene or reaction deletions to identify essential components in a metabolic network, generating knockout impact tables that highlight candidate targets for metabolic engineering.

Does this workflow support calculating minimal media and production envelopes?

Yes, the workflow configures growth media and computes minimal media compositions for specified performance targets, while production envelope calculations map phenotype phase planes for product and reaction tradeoffs.

What should I do if my genome-scale metabolic model is infeasible?

You can repair infeasible models by using gapfilling to add candidate reactions, or construct metabolic models from scratch to satisfy stoichiometric constraints and enable successful optimization.

Do I need an SBML file to perform flux sampling?

You need a compatible genome-scale reconstruction, but you can load models from SBML, JSON, or YAML formats to explore the feasible flux space using flux sampling techniques.