While we cannot see small nanoscopic objects like proteins or other molecules that make up virtually all living matter including our cells, tissues, as well as pathogens such as viruses, our computational algorithm allows us to make its material manifestation audible.  This piece is a musical representation of the amino acid sequence and structure of the spike protein of the pathogen of COVID-19, 2019-nCoV (protein data bank identifier 6VSB [1]). 

MUSICAL DECEIT

A virus’ genome hijacks the host cell’s protein manufacturing machinery, and forces it to replicate the viral genome and produce viral proteins to make new viruses from it.  This musical art teaches us something about the fine line between beauty of life and death as an opposite pole.  As you listen to the protein you will find that the intricate design results in incredibly interesting and actually pleasing, relaxing sounds. This doesn’t really convey the deadly impacts this particularly protein is having on the world. This aspect of the music shows the deceiving nature of the virus, how it hijacks our body to replicate, and hurt us along the way. So, the music is a metaphor for this nature of the virus to deceive the host and exploit it for its own multiplication. 

HOW IT IS DONE: 

What you hear is a multi-layered algorithmic composition featuring both the vibrational spectrum of the entire protein (expressed in sound and rhythmic elements), the sequence and folding of amino acids that compose the virus spike structure, as well as interwoven melodies - forming counterpoint music - reflecting the complex hierarchical intersecting geometry of the protein [2].

Scientific references:

[1] Wrapp et al., "Cryo-EM structure of the 2019-nCoV spike in the prefusion conformation," Science, 2020, DOI: 10.1126/science.abb2507

[2] Buehler et al., "A Self-Consistent Sonification Method to Translate Amino Acid Sequences into Musical Compositions and Application in Protein Design Using Artificial Intelligence," ACS Nano, 2019, DOI: pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.9b02180

Viral counterpoint of the coronavirus spike protein (2019-nCoV)

Viral Counterpoint of the Coronavirus Spike Protein (2019-nCoV)

Smilisca phaeota
www.cucusonic.net
(by Camilo Arredondo)

The New Granada cross-banded tree frog (also known as ‘rana bueyera’ in Colombia) is a common medium-size species (40–70 mm) with large limbs and round head and is found from Honduras to Colombia and Ecuador. In Colombia, this species typically inhabits lowlands in the northern Caribbean plains, the Pacific coast, the inter-Andean valleys and the foothills of all three Cordilleras. This tree frog can be found both in well-conserved forest as well as in open areas modified by human activities. The body coloration of this species varies; however, it can be easily recognized by a dark green line covering the sides of the head through the eyes and extending past the tympanum.

As with most frogs and toads, Smilisca phaeota males are responsible for singing, both in reproductive and defensive situations. Males usually sing while on the surface of small and shallow ponds or near to low-flow streams2. This species exhibits great variety in the composition and structure of its call, from differences in the number of notes, duration and pitch of the sound1. These call variations are most evident between Central and South America populations. Furthermore, the advertisement call of Colombian populations is characterised by a single note (sporadically two), where the sound produced is like a short call from a calf.
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cucusonic: www.cucusonic.net

Smilisca phaeota - SingleCall

We are a collaboration, interested in identifying how the multiple sonic registers of animal sound can be harnessed to bring different groups of people together in Colombia: scientists, musicians, farmers, city dwellers, indigenous peoples, to work towards a common purpose, which is the exploration of the transformative potential of biodiversity.

Given the current COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent periodic lockdowns, our project’s methodology involves ‘remote’ ways of working which avoid face-to-face contact and are about the recording, sharing, editing and presentation of wildlife observations and bio-acoustic recordings from the various situations of lockdown.

The recording strategies are led by biological scientists, anthropologists and musicians working together. The materials (recordings and observations) are directed towards three purposes:

(1) The establishment and training of a network of citizen scientists to make regular observations and recordings. This work is about facilitating the work which biological scientists cannot do at the present time, while simultaneously creating a record of the ‘return’ of nature during the COVID-19 ‘lockdown’.

(2) The production of a regular series of podcasts, videos and recordings using this material and based around particular species, for dissemination through our dedicated website.

(3) A collaboration (online) with a team of international music producers and musicians, through the partnership with the organisation In Place of War.

Cucusonic collective works in partnership with The University of Manchester, the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology and In Place Of War, thanks to the support of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). www.cucusonic.net

Smilisca phaeota - SingleCall

cucusonic

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