Optimal designs for Michaelis–Menten kinetic studies

Many reactions in enzymology are governed by the Michaelis-Menten equation. Characterising these reactions requires the estimation of the parameters K(M) and V(max) which determine the Michaelis-Menten equation and this is done by observing rates of reactions at a set of substrate concentrations. The choice of substrate concentrations is investigated by determining Bayesian D-optimal designs for a model in which residuals have a normal distribution with constant variance. Designs which focus on alternative quantities, such as K(M) or the ratio V(max)/K(M) are also considered. The effect on the optimal designs of alternative error distributions is also considered.