Thermodynamic stability and structural transitions in virus-host networks

Abstract

Understanding virus-host interactions is crucial for predicting the stability of networks under various perturbations. In this study, we present an analysis of virus-related networks for several organisms (Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, Gallus gallus), encompassing directed and weighted connections. We compute a range of network parameters, including topological characteristics and thermodynamic quantities derived from adjacency spectra, to gain insights into the structural robustness and dynamic behavior of the networks. To assess stability, we model two distinct node removal scenarios: targeted elimination of the most influential nodes and random removal. Our findings reveal transition-like behavior in spectral thermodynamic functions and characteristic changes in structural measures, contributing to evaluating the potential of a thermodynamic framework for studying virus-host networks and advancing a deeper understanding of their dynamics.