HySimODE: a hybrid stochastic-deterministic simulation framework for multiscale models of biological systems

Hybrid simulation is essential for modeling biochemical systems that mix low-copy stochastic dynamics with high-abundance deterministic processes. We present HySimODE, a Python framework that automates hybrid simulation directly from user-defined ordinary differential equation-based models. HySimODE uses a short deterministic pre-simulation and a machine-learning classifier to automatically assign each species to a stochastic or deterministic regime, and then combines a simple stochastic update rule with a stiff ODE solver in a single simulation loop. The classifier was trained and validated on a diverse dataset of biochemical ODE models spanning multiple dynamical regimes, enabling robust stochastic-deterministic partitioning beyond simple abundance thresholds. This design eliminates manual specification of regimes, avoids model reformulation, and enables reproducible, data-driven hybrid simulations of ODE-only biochemical models, including systems with saturable kinetics, effective-rate laws, or macro-energetic variables that lack a consistent reaction-network representation. Benchmarking against deterministic integrators, stochastic simulations, and abundance-threshold hybrid approaches demonstrates that HySimODE provides a practical and scalable framework for hybrid simulation of ODE-defined biochemical systems. We demonstrate its utility on two distinct case studies: a host-circuit interaction model from synthetic biology and a long-term synaptic potentiation model from neurobiology. HySimODE includes a modular adapter system that automatically converts ODE models written in concentrations into molecular counts, enabling universal compatibility across biochemical systems without code modification.

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Publication Details

Journal
Bioinformatics
Published
2026-04-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/bioinformatics/btag185
Primary Topic
Gene Regulatory Network Analysis
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

HySimODE: a hybrid stochastic-deterministic simulation framework for multiscale models of biological systems

Criseida G. Zamora-Chimal, Alexander P S Darlington
Bioinformatics
Gene Regulatory Network Analysis
article

HySimODE: a hybrid stochastic-deterministic simulation framework for multiscale models of biological systems

Criseida G. Zamora-Chimal, Alexander P S Darlington
article en

Abstract

Hybrid simulation is essential for modeling biochemical systems that mix low-copy stochastic dynamics with high-abundance deterministic processes. We present HySimODE, a Python framework that automates hybrid simulation directly from user-defined ordinary differential equation-based models. HySimODE uses a short deterministic pre-simulation and a machine-learning classifier to automatically assign each species to a stochastic or deterministic regime, and then combines a simple stochastic update rule with a stiff ODE solver in a single simulation loop. The classifier was trained and validated on a diverse dataset of biochemical ODE models spanning multiple dynamical regimes, enabling robust stochastic-deterministic partitioning beyond simple abundance thresholds. This design eliminates manual specification of regimes, avoids model reformulation, and enables reproducible, data-driven hybrid simulations of ODE-only biochemical models, including systems with saturable kinetics, effective-rate laws, or macro-energetic variables that lack a consistent reaction-network representation. Benchmarking against deterministic integrators, stochastic simulations, and abundance-threshold hybrid approaches demonstrates that HySimODE provides a practical and scalable framework for hybrid simulation of ODE-defined biochemical systems. We demonstrate its utility on two distinct case studies: a host-circuit interaction model from synthetic biology and a long-term synaptic potentiation model from neurobiology. HySimODE includes a modular adapter system that automatically converts ODE models written in concentrations into molecular counts, enabling universal compatibility across biochemical systems without code modification.

BioinformaticsVol. 42(5)
University of Warwick (GB)
Royal Academy of Engineering, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Openalex Percentile: Top 23%
Gene Regulatory Network Analysis
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