On the existence of identifiable reparametrizations for linear compartment models

Abstract

The parameters of a linear compartment model are usually estimated from experimental input-output data. A problem arises when infinitely many parameter values can yield the same result; such a model is called unidentifiable. In this case, one can search for an identifiable reparametrization of the model: a map which reduces the number of parameters, such that the reduced model is identifiable. We study a specific class of models which are known to be unidentifiable. Using algebraic geometry and graph theory, we translate a criterion given by Meshkat and Sullivant for the existence of an identifiable scaling reparametrization to a new criterion based on the rank of a weighted adjacency matrix of a certain bipartite graph. This allows us to derive several new constructions to obtain graphs with an identifiable scaling reparametrization. Using these constructions, a large subclass of such graphs is obtained. Finally, we present a procedure of subdividing or deleting edges to ensure that a model has an identifiable scaling reparametrization.