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Protein Music

Posted by michael on from the adenosine-sharp dept.

isudoru writes: "Ever wondered what the DNA can be converted into? Well the first attempt to convert the letters of DNA is to make them into music. A program called ProteinMusic converts the DNA sequences into midi songs and is able to export to midi too. It's platform independent since it's made in java."

12 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. This was started back in 1995 by alteridem · · Score: 5
    A UK band called the Shamen started this back in 1995. The song S2 Translation on the '95 album, Axis Mutatis was generated using the software developed by one of the band members, Colin Angus. Colin worked with R. King who is now developing the Java version. The song was formed by translating part of the human DNA sequence of the S2 protien. The software was written for the Mac in C and as far as I can tell isn't available anymore. I only had a PC back in 95, so it is nice to see them still working on this and porting it to Java so we can all try it out.

    If you want to check out a sound sample from the song, see this page.

    1. Re:This was started back in 1995 by zulux · · Score: 3
      Actually the idea was floating around before that - I did a small program in Turbo Pascal that tweaked the rather small encoding of a virus strain into *horible* music. I found the sequence in a 1987 issue of Scientific American and coded my program in 1990.

      I don't remember where I got the idea from - but I know I got it from sombody else in the 1989 time frame.

      Makeing tones on the PC-buzzer using the viral code was easy - coaxing them into music was hard. Turbo Pascal came in handy because I could tweek the code recompile quickly.

      I remember how hard it was for me to find out the diference in Hz between notes and what Hz "middle c" started at- this was before the internet made it's way into my life and I had no musical training.

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  2. If you sequence the Alzheimers protein by wowbagger · · Score: 3

    Have you wondered what you get if you sequence and play the protein thought to be responisble for Alzheimers?

    Brittany Spears, NKOTB, and N'Sync.

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  3. Just a matter of time... by tomson · · Score: 5

    before DNApster.com starts it's service :)

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    I read slashdot for the articles.
  4. Re:Here's something DNA can be converted to... by Frank+T.+Lofaro+Jr. · · Score: 3
    It IS source code. Proteins are the object code. Of course, the compiling algorithm is very simple. Every 3 bases (4 different bases - i.e. 2 bits a base) code for one amino acid. 3*2=6 2**6=64 and there are less than that many amino acids, some are aliases of others, some (3 of them I think) stop protein coding, and some (I think 1 one them) starts protein coding.

    So maybe it is more like assembly language source code.

    --
    Just because it CAN be done, doesn't mean it should!
  5. The Shamen did this in 1995 by pesc · · Score: 3
    I have the recod Axis Mutatis by the Shamen.

    amazon link

    The last song, "S2 translation" has the following text on the sleeve:

    "sequenced from the amino acid characteristics and the DNA coding for protein S2, receptor for serotonin and other tryptamines, thanks to Dr R.D.King for the data."

    As you can see in the referenced article, Shamed and R.D.King worked on this a long time ago.

    --

    )9TSS
  6. Ratios and Mozart, etc by Alien54 · · Score: 3
    I remember someone did some statistical analysis on something just like this many years ago, as far as distribution of frequencies etc. The end result was that the distribution curve in the DNA matched that of large pieces of music, such as by Mozart, etc.

    I wonder about 1) how albums by certain rock artists would match up in this regard; and 2) the algorthm for the original conversion of DNA to music. There are so many ways that it could be done. You could take the 21 amino acids and line them up on any number of scales: chromatic, wholetone, diatonic, etc. Some choices would generate more musical results than others.

    Check out the Vinny the Vampire comic strip

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  7. Here's something DNA can be converted to... by empesey · · Score: 3

    Babies.

    Who would have thunk it?

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    Sometimes the obvious answer is the correct one.

  8. Legal Questions by empesey · · Score: 4

    If I write 23 bars of DNA music and my girlfriend writes 23 bars of DNA music, am I going to be paying royalties to her for the rest of my life?

    Who's going to get custody of the gold records that hang on the wall?

  9. and how is the program going to get my DNA? by unformed · · Score: 3

    wondering how a JAva program is going to get my DNA sequence, especially since I don't have a DNA sequence finder setting around in my room?

    However, the implications of this are pretty cool....(could be gross violation of privacy too)

    once they can get everyone's DNA sequence (not even all of it, since 99% is the same, but just the unique portion), and then convert it to a number, it can serve as a unique encryption key/id whatever...although it could also kill anonymity...

    hmmmm....

  10. Think of the confusion by Millyways · · Score: 3

    Now when the aliens recieve our DNA they won't know if we have sent them our genetic blueprint or just our latest symphonic masterpiece.

  11. That's just great.. by gabriel_aristos · · Score: 3

    So now, not only will companies be able to patent specific genes, they'll be able to copyright them too? That's all we need.. the RIAA to get involved in our DNA.

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