The limitations of model-based experimental design and parameter estimation in sloppy systems

Abstract

We explore the relationship among model fidelity, experimental design, and parameter estimation in sloppy models. We show that the approximate nature of mathematical models poses challenges for experimental design in sloppy models. In many models of complex biological processes it is unknown what are the relevant physics that must be included to explain collective behaviors. As a consequence, models are often overly complex, with many practically unidentifiable parameters. Furthermore, which details are relevant/irrelevant vary among potential experiments. By selecting complementary experiments, experimental design may inadvertently make details that were ommitted from the model become relevant. When this occurs, the model will fail to give a good fit to the data. We use a simple hyper-model of model error to quantify a model's inadequacy and apply it to two models of complex biological processes (EGFR signaling and DNA repair) with optimally selected experiments. We find that although parameters may be accurately estimated, the error in the model renders it less predictive than it was in the sloppy regime where model error is small. We introduce the concept of a \emph{sloppy system}--a sequence of models of increasing complexity that become sloppy in the limit of microscopic accuracy. We explore the limits of accurate parameter estimation in sloppy systems and argue that system identification better approached by considering a hierarchy of models of varying detail rather than focusing parameter estimation in a single model.