DNA

Since all genetic information can only come in the language of four nucleotides (A Adenosine C Cytosine G Guanine T Thymidine) it is fairly easily conveyed in musical form. Back in 2008 my friend Liz Wade and I sent away to 23andme.com to get our genetic code read and from there we used the code to create music.

Take Heroin Addiction for example: Liz simply assigned A, C and G to those notes, and assigned T to a F sharp. I believe she then repeated a 10 nucleotides sequence several times. But that is just one way to do it. To be true to the music inherent in the sequences the only consistency that has to be maintained is that—as long as you’re within the same genetic marker—the nucleotides always have to be the same note, whether you assign A to A or A to G sharp.

Some of the fun ways I think this could be expanded would be to take on two characteristics delineated in the genetic markers below, assign different instruments to each gene marker and different notes depending on the gene to each nucleotide and play them in parallel. In that way you can have multiple instruments, and more than just four notes. Also, I see no reason why the math has to get in the way of the art so the decision to hold certain notes longer can be made on an entirely aesthetic basis depending on where the music is headed. But, then again, I am no musician and I would really like to see what your brilliant minds and the brilliant minds you know might come up with. Go forth and musicify!

  • Alcohol Dependence
  • Avoidance of Errors
  • Baldness
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Bitter Taste Perception
  • Heroin Addiction
  • Longevity
  • Restless Leg Syndrome
  • Schizophrenia
  • Tourette’s