The concept of controllability of linear systems from control theory is applied to networks inspired by biology. A node is in this context controllable if an external signal can be applied which can adjust the level (e.g., protein concentration) of the node in a finite time to an arbitrary value, regardless of the levels of the other nodes. The property of being downstream of the node to which the input is applied turns out to be a necessary but not a sufficient condition for being controllable. An interpretation of the controllability matrix, when applied to networks, is also given. Finally, two case studies are provided in order to better explain the concepts, as well as some results for a gene regulatory network of fission yeast.

• Received 30 June 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.75.056110