Coding Descriptor Language

In morphology, Coding Descriptor Language (CDL) is a domain-specific language for designing and programming biological systems, facilitated by heuristic DNA editing, which decompiles it from DNA and vice versa. It allows for the structured definition of complex, nested system “units” with their own behaviours, and can even source predefined building blocks from shared libraries such as BCR. CDL is similar to Verilog, but also has elements of Java syntax.

CDL has many specific component models as part of its DSL, including Cell, Organelle, Protein, Enzyme, and many more. These abstractions are used to define desired physical properties, and function similar to classes; computer-like code is defined within a specific model to describe how, for example, an organelle behaves.

Registry

The Biosystem Component Registry (BCR) at [1] is a free, open database of CDL biosystem components that compose different functionality. These components can be downloaded by anyone with an interest in bioengineering and used in a CDL project with a simple import statement. The BCR is a hosted service provided by BioCorp.