Koto Ensemble of Protein 1akg (Venom of Predatory Marine Snails) by Markus J. Buehler

What you hear is the sonified expression of the 3D structure of the protein with PDB ID 1akg (ALPHA-CONOTOXIN PNIB FROM CONUS PENNACEUS, see: http://dx.doi.org/10.2210/pdb1AKG/pdb), translated into an orchestral setting (koto [a Japanese string instrument], cello, double bass, viola, flute, and fluegelhorn). The koto is used to express the primary, secondary and tertiary structure of the protein.

The piece reflects a classical period model of the hierarchical mapping to describe the 3D folded structure of a protein in musical space. The musical mapping begins from the primary amino acid sequence (GCCSLPPCALSNPDYCX) and encodes multiple hierarchical structural levels, and adds musical experimentation.

We use the concept proposed by Yu, Buehler et al. (ACS Nano) to map amino acid sequences to music, and augment the mapping by adding more data. The 3D folded structure of a protein is coded by inserting strummed chords and interwoven melodies that code for the geometric arrangement of amino acids, the protein's tertiary structure. Rhythm and note volume code for secondary structure.

[1] The protein used for this example is 6cjc (CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF A FC FRAGMENT LALA MUTANT (L234A, L235A) OF HUMAN IGG1 (CRYSTAL FORM 3))

[2] https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.9b02180