Viral Counterpoint of the Coronavirus Spike Protein (2019-nCoV) by Markus J. Buehler published on 2020-03-13T15:44:59Z 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 Genre Classical Comment by Irena Budzanivska С первых звуков почувствовала дискомфорт в солнечном сплетении Потом стало полегче. 2023-04-10T15:27:35Z Comment by Omaar Reyna After 30 minutes of listening, it started to feel kind of torturous. 2023-02-27T02:36:16Z Comment by WilliamAHuston Beautiful 2022-08-23T03:03:39Z Comment by Ann Watson 💕so Superbly🔞 2022-06-11T23:13:33Z Comment by astra please release the midi 2022-03-28T01:44:25Z Comment by Sean O'Donnell Soothing tempo, sublime harmony. Why this choice of scale, instrumentation? Are the MIDI files available? I wonder how others would reharmonize, reorchestrate, rearrange the same musical form and structure. This is how COVID sounds to MIT researchers. How does it sound to a death metal enthusiast? I would love to hear more variations to reflect the wide variety of experiences we have all had with this same pathogen. 2022-03-05T19:02:10Z Comment by Howardellison Fascinating! Astronomers of old talked about the 'music of the spheres'. What we hear on the track is of course an outcome of musical decisions by the researchers, but not invalidated by that. It would be interesting to hear other viruses put through the exact same process. I thk that could bring out further insight. Amused to see this piece classified as 'classical'! 2022-02-16T11:12:01Z Comment by Ottotoxic it makes me feel free & happy ॐ 2022-01-30T06:47:56Z Comment by Rahmat Nasrul this.. is.. covid.. 2022-01-03T15:55:57Z Comment by brianrill Playing in C minor I was following along. Cm Bb F 2021-10-28T06:48:17Z Comment by sirosora とても感動して一日中聴いています。聴いていると彼らと共存できる日が必ず来ると、希望を彼らの音楽から与えられます。 わたしたち人類のほうが彼ら(ウイルスやワクチン)よりよっぽど攻撃的で暴力的であるのだと感じました。 実際にウイルスよりも多くの生命をわたしたち人類は虐殺して来ました。 彼らはわたしたち人類よりずっと愛が深いのです。 そんな彼らがわたしたちに教えようとしています。 人を愛すること。動物たちを愛すること。この地球を愛することを。 わたしたちは彼らを恐れる必要はなく、恐れるべきは、わたしたち一人一人のなかにある”悪(Evil)”なのです。 2021-08-15T19:53:38Z Comment by sirosora Evil is not in Coronavirus or Spike Protein. Evil is in each of us. 2021-08-15T19:31:33Z Comment by Nguyen Le Hai Anh wow! 2021-07-10T00:47:51Z Comment by Vuong Tan Nguyen It's like Final Fantasy OST in the part of battling final bosses 2021-07-09T02:46:38Z Comment by Anna nadya wow.. 🙄 2021-06-28T02:46:34Z Comment by glow Blue Sounds like traditional Chinese music🤓 2021-06-05T22:24:40Z Comment by redredruby Each strike sounds like a reactionary fearful response made to threat. What is it saying? 2021-05-08T09:19:25Z Comment by 63rd Breath m.youtube.com/watch? I hear tribble sound in the background 2021-04-18T17:55:37Z Comment by 63rd Breath It has a lot to express for such an itty bitty entity 2021-04-17T20:45:24Z Comment by asher_playz BG e 2021-04-14T04:57:48Z Comment by asher_playz BG ee 2021-04-14T04:57:43Z Comment by Rosa fizeram musica para componente viral anticorpo da proteina coronavirus spike 2021-03-31T18:21:01Z Comment by Hexis Plus How could ypu prove this was true or not. Its difficult to see how a protein structure matches with the music. Is it inspired by or the sound that each alpha helix and beta sheetvthat there? 2021-03-26T07:39:44Z Comment by RufusElDragon de pelos 2021-03-11T19:41:36Z Comment by nikosmaz 2 questions: what does the section in the middle with more abrupt volume changes represent? And secondly, what have you done for the repeating domains, have you omitted it where it repeats? 2021-01-30T19:03:58Z Comment by nikosmaz 2 questions: 2021-01-30T19:02:58Z Comment by Simon Alexander This is hypnotizing, and a really interesting concept. 2021-01-19T10:12:53Z Comment by Poppy Omg 2021-01-03T17:13:44Z