In this paper a method is developed to model the design process gene based on the extensible basic-element with the purpose of design process optimization and reuse. First, the principle of genetic engineering based design process optimization and reuse is put forward and analyzed. Second, the extensible basic-element model of the design process gene is established based on the models of the design process base and the base pair through analyzing the concept and structure of the design process gene and the extensible basic-element as well as its extensibility. Third, the features of divergence and scalability of the extensible basic-element model of the design process gene are discussed for carrying out the extension translation to the design process gene by way of inserting, deleting and updating design process bases. Finally, an example of building extensible basic-element models for the design process base, base pair and design process gene in mechanical product design and the mutation process of the design process gene in airplane design is presented which demonstrates the application of the method proposed in this paper.
