The more technologically advanced we become, the more science and art seem to intersect. Whether it’s preservation scientists using X-ray fluorescence to reveal ancient text, bioinformaticians using next-gen sequencing to search for Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA, or scientists using infrared and Raman spectroscopy to analyze paint layers, the line between science and art continues to blur.
“Art has always been integral to science,” says Anthony O’Kane, head of scientific affairs at Fusion Antibodies. “It gives scientific ideas shape and imagination. Look into any science lab notebook to see how important art is to the very creation of scientific knowledge. Simple sketches in lab notebooks can be invaluable resources for researchers when they need to remember how they conducted an experiment, or even what the results were.”
O’Kane recently added to the scientific-art landscape with a stunning musical melody—one he created from DNA. The scientist translated the DNA and amino acid sequences of linen into a melody by creating a musical scale based on the amino acids of proteins generated by DNA. According to O’Kane, the pattern of four bases clustered to form chains of 21 amino acids—which form the proteins that govern everything, in a process called translation—is ideal for music-making.
“The genetic code determining the shape, structure and function of every organism is written in the codex of DNA. The process has an architecture that lends itself to further translation into the mathematical principles that underly music and overlay a musical interpretation onto the fundamental genetic basis that determine the morphology of [the plant] flax, or Linum usitatissimum,” explains O’Kane.
The musical piece, titled “Translating Linen,” was completed for the Northern Ireland Science Festival, hence the video is overlaid with historical footage of sights and sounds of Northern Ireland linen mills. The Northern Ireland Science Festival is a celebration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics that takes place in February every year. With 63,000 attendees and 150 events across 30 venues, the festival is one of the largest celebrations of STEM in Europe.
James Fair, CFO of Fusion Antibodies, said O’Kane’s project is a perfect example of how organizations are successfully adapting survive the impact of the pandemic.
“Now, more than ever, we need to share the rich array of research in the world of science and the arts with the public and open the window to a world of thought-provoking research,” he said.
A pre-clinical antibody discovery and engineering company, Fusion Antibodies has done more than create music during the pandemic. They are currently working with Queen’s University Belfast to pioneer a new antibody development platform that will simultaneously create multiple types of antibodies that can both neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and aid in diagnostic testing efforts.
Photo credit: Fusion Antibodies