Respectful modelling: Addressing uncertainty in dynamic system models for molecular biology

Although there is still some scepticism within the biological community regarding the value and significance of quantitative computational modelling, important steps are continually being taken in order to enhance its accessibility and predictive power. We view these developments as essential components of an emerging “respectful modelling” framework, which has two critical aims: 1) Respecting the models themselves and facilitating the reproduction and update of modelling results by other scientists. 2) Respecting the predictions of the models, and rigorously quantifying the confidence associated with the modelling results. This respectful attitude will guide the design of higher-quality models and facilitate the use of models in modern applications, such as engineering and manipulating microbial metabolism by synthetic biology.