Inferring gene regulatory networks from microarray time series data using transfer entropy

Reverse engineering of gene regulatory networks from microarray time series data has been a challenging problem due to the limit of available data. In this paper, a new approach is proposed based on the concept of transfer entropy. Using this information theoretic measure, causal relations between pairs of genes are assessed to draw a causal network. A heuristic rule is then applied to differentiate direct and indirect causality. Simulation on a synthetic network showed that the transfer entropy can identify both linear and nonlinear causality. Application of the method in a biological data identified many causal interactions with biological information supports.