The overall goal of the ESIGNET project is to study the computational properties of cell signalling networks (CSN) by evolving them using methods from evolutionary computation, and to re-apply this understanding in developing new ways to model and predict real CSNs.

Finding appropriate possibilities to denote and to describe the structure as well the behaviour and resulting properties of CSNs is essential for all subsequent parts of the ESIGNET project. In this report, we summarise different methods and strategies for phenotypic representation and specification of CSNs. Spanning the range from analytical to algebraic and category based approaches, they follow different purposes. Bridging the gap between these description models facilitates a high degree of flexibility in their choice and usage. File format specifications of computer science arisen from these approaches allow to implement interoperable software packages for construction, evolution, analysis, and prediction of CSNs.