In this paper, we introduce the Flux Coupling Finder (FCF) framework for elucidating the topological and flux connectivity features of genome-scale metabolic networks. The framework is demonstrated on genome-scale metabolic reconstructions of Helicobacter pylori, Escherichia coli, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The analysis allows one to determine whether any two metabolic fluxes, v 1 and v 2 , are (1) directionally coupled, if a non-zero flux for v 1 implies a non-zero flux for v 2 but not necessarily the reverse; (2) partially coupled, if a non-zero flux for v 1 implies a non-zero, though variable, flux for v 2 and vice versa; or (3) fully coupled, if a non-zero flux for v 1 implies not only a non-zero but also a fixed flux for v 2 and vice versa. Flux coupling analysis also enables the global identification of blocked reactions, which are all reactions incapable of carrying flux under a certain condition; equivalent knockouts, defined as the set of all possible reactions whose deletion forces the flux through a particular reaction to zero; and sets of affected reactions denoting all reactions whose fluxes are forced to zero if a particular reaction is deleted. The FCF approach thus provides a novel and versatile tool for aiding metabolic reconstructions and guiding genetic manipulations.[Supplemental material is available online at www.genome.org.]An overarching attribute of metabolic networks is their inherent robustness and ability to cope with ever-changing environmental conditions. Despite this flexibility, network stoichiometry and connectivity do establish limits/barriers to the coordination and accessibility of reactions. The recent abundance of complete genome sequences has enabled the generation of genome-scale metabolic reconstructions for various microorganisms (Covert et al. 2001;Price et al. 2003;. These models provide a largely complete skeleton of the metabolic reactions present in an organism. Examination of the structural and topological properties of metabolic networks is important at both the conceptual level, to reveal the organizational principles of metabolic interactions within cellular networks, and at the practical level for more effectively focusing engineering interventions and ensuring the consistency of the underlying reconstructions.To this end, the identification of blocked reactions (i.e., reactions incapable of carrying flux due to the stoichiometry of the metabolic network under steady-state conditions) and enzyme subsets (i.e., groups of reactions that operate together in fixed flux proportions under steady-state conditions) in metabolic models has attracted considerable interest