Frequently asked questions on our
DNA Music service
What is the history DNA music?
DNA music has been developed since the early
1970's when Geneticists found it easier to read the long strands of DNA code by
assigning musical pitches to the 22 Amino Acids. This allowed them to compare
DNA, look for mutations, and reverse engineer these tones back into proteins.
This opened the way for more musical scientists to develop the system further
until today where DNA music is now being taken very seriously by composers and
musicians as a new form and medium of the music industry.
Prof. Susumu Ohno
(of Beckman Research Institute of
the City of Hope, who died on January 13, 2000, at the age of 71) proposed years
ago that the repetition process governs both the musical composition and the
DNA sequence construction . see this paper by Ohno in
Immunogenetics (1986) titled: "The all pervasive principle of repetitious
recurrence governs not only coding sequence construction but also human endeavor
in musical composition".
DNA Music Lecture Video with David Deamer Professor of Chemistry, UC Santa Cruz
Dr. David W. Deamer is
professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University
of California,
Santa Cruz.
Dr. Deamer has a life-long interest in the relation between art and science, and
was among the first to recognize that musical patterns could be translated from
base sequences in DNA. He has collaborated with
Susan Alexjander,
a Santa Cruz
musician/composer, in publishing several tapes and CDs of DNA music.
Regular patterns and sequences
of notes exist throughout music, from the pitches of a scale to the rhythms of a
song. The same goes for the building blocks of life. Patterns govern the way
molecules fit together to construct a DNA molecule or a protein strand. When
these patterns are "translated" into the patterns of music, some of them contain
very interesting melodies and rhythms. DNA music is a new and unique way of
experiencing the complexity of life.
Dr David Deamer Research Group, Department of Chemistry,
University of California
Upon ordering
your DNA music, a
sample kit is sent to retrieve a saliva sample of your DNA.
The genetic laboratory will process this data and then send it to us for
translation and production of your DNA song. Your DNA is collected and sent to a
lab specializing in genome research where it is processed to establish your
unique DNA profile.
Your unique DNA profile
results are bio-sequenced and a translation of your "raw" song is revealed. Your
song is then enhanced by adding instruments, and a specific genre of your choice
by our skilled musicians and composers. The end result is often life changing
for the individual. This is your DNA song.
How long does the entire process
take?
The entire process takes up
to 4-6 weeks to complete.
Is my genetic DATA secure?
It is very important to us
that our clients information is protected and secure, our genetic colleagues
will send you a consent form that gives you the piece of mind that your genetic
data is being handled in a private and secure manner along the guidelines of the
Data Protection Act 1998.
All information, genetic and musical, is returned to the owner on completion of
the DNA music service.
Yes, in fact it is very
important to us to create a musical piece that not only reflects you as a person
genetically but expresses your own personality and tastes. Our musicians and
composers are capable of producing your music in a huge variety of styles from
ancient to ambient. Of course the production costs may vary if you would prefer
a full symphony orchestra.
