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.

How does my DNA data translate into music?

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.

Can I choose how my DNA music should sound?

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.