Interpreting the structure of proteins as musical notes is not always pleasant to the ear, with the help of Chopin and other composers, proteins now sound much better
Proteins are the basic molecules that make up living organisms, but what do they sound like? Scientists already last year they turned the coronavirus structure into music. Previous attempts to associate sounds with the structure of proteins have resulted in unbearable noise. However, a recently published study in Heliyon magazine he shows how “protein songs” can be composed to popularize your knowledge, which also has a very nice sound.
This is what the protein that makes up the oxytocin hormone receptor sounds like:
How are protein melodies composed?
If it sounds like classical music to you, you’re absolutely right. The researchers used the style of Frédéric Chopin, Johanes Brahms and Franz Schubert to convert protein structures into melodies with greater musicality.
To create unique melodies from the chemical structure of proteins, an algorithm has linked certain musical phrases to sequences of amino acids. The algorithm takes specific elements, such as the size and position of amino acids, and combines them with musical structures to produce the protein song.
Specifically, they used the key, duration, octaves, chords, dynamics, and four-piece main theme of the romantic era of classical music:
- Fantaisie-Impromptu in sharp C minor Op. 66 by Frédéric Chopin.
- Fantasien Op. 116 by Johannes Brahms No. 2 of 7.
- Wanderer Fantasie and Impromptu In C minor Op. 90 No. 1 D8 99 by Franz Schubert.
«We chose the specific musical style of Fantaisie-Impromptu as it is characterized by a freedom of expression that we thought would complement the way proteins regulate a large part of our bodily functions, including our mood,” explained study co-author Peng Zhang, from Rockefeller University in New York.
Most of the 18 musicalized proteins regulated functions such as emotions, cognition or human performance
Likewise, several of the proteins in the study were chosen for their similarities to the structure of Fantaisie-Impromptu. Most of the 18 proteins tested regulated functions such as emotions, cognition or human performance.
Yu Zong Chen, from the National University of Singapore and lead author of the study, explains that to find the optimal match, assign the size of an amino acid to the length of the grade, so that a larger amino acid corresponds to a length of grade shorter.
Experts conclude that the musicality of protein melodies has been greatly improved by this method. We now know what proteins are like.
REFERENCE
Musical protein music enhanced by musical style-guided exploration of diverse amino acid properties