SORS/WomenInBSC: understanding feedback control in biological systems

Feedback control is a fundamental principle of life, essential for maintaining homeostasis across biological scales. To better understand and design feedback mechanisms in cellular systems, we developed CoRa (Control Ratio)—a general computational framework that quantifies the contribution of feedback by comparing a system with feedback to an otherwise identical one without it. This controlled comparison isolates feedback effects while accounting for biomolecular constraints. CoRa provides an intuitive metric that can be applied broadly, regardless of network complexity, and evaluates both steadystate and dynamic responses to perturbations. Its simplicity and interpretability enable systematic, high-throughput analysis of diverse control architectures, revealing unexpected trade-offs and unifying principles across strategies. Applied to synthetic biology designs, CoRa helps identify key structural features underlying robust control. Overall, CoRa offers a powerful, scalable approach for dissecting and engineering biomolecular feedback systems.