The Howdy Glossary

Biological Expression Language (BEL) is a programming language designed to model intricate biological systems, describing interactions among proteins, genes, and other molecular components in living organisms. It allows biologists to formalize biological knowledge into computational models for effective simulation of cellular or tissue behaviors. BEL is based on graph theory, employing a subject-predicate-object structure for statements and often uses Semantic Web technologies such as RDF/OWL in its implementation.

Developed by the bioinformatics firm Selventa, BEL addresses the need for a standardized approach to modeling complex biological systems. It was created to be flexible and scalable, capturing diverse biological knowledge useful in computational modeling applications within life sciences. By using graph theory foundations and integrating Semantic Web technologies like RDF/OWL, BEL ensures semantic interoperability and aids researchers in constructing formal models that elucidate underlying mechanisms of biological processes important for drug discovery or personalized medicine.

BEL sets itself apart from other biological modeling languages such as Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML), CellML, and Systems Biology Graphical Notation (SBGN) through its unique approach to representing intricate relationships among molecular entities at a granular level. While SBML focuses on biochemical reaction networks, CellML on cellular processes at the mechanistic level, and SBGN on graphical pathway representations, BEL excels at offering precise descriptions of complex interactions using its structured statement format. Its emphasis on semantic interoperability facilitates comprehensive integration of diverse data sources making it an effective tool for researchers delving into complex biological systems' modeling and simulation.