生物网络比对是生物体结构、功能和进化分析的重要研究手段.首先给出了生物网络比对问题的形式化定义;其次重点分析了现有的比对模型和算法,按照比对方法的数学特性对其进行了分类,并对典型算法结合应用进行了深入探讨,对3类比对方法的特点进行了总结与比较;再次,分析归纳了生物网络比对软件,阐述了生物网络比对研究的意义和应用;最后指出了生物网络比对研究中的关键问题及生物网络比对未来的研究方向.

Biological network alignment is an important approach in the study of organisms’ structure, function and evolution. In this review, the recent studies in the field of biological network alignment are surveyed. First, a definition of biological network alignment is defined formally. Secondly, the methods for alignment are reviewed and described into three categories according to their mathematical properties. Some models and algorithms in every category are analyzed comprehensively and comparably. Next, tools for alignment are listed and analyzed. In the end, some applications and key problems in the field are highlighted, as well as the future progress of biological network alignment.

Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.60933009 (国家自然科学基金); the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China under Grant No.200807010013 (高等学校博士学科点专项科研基金)