DNA is no longer just part of our genetic code. DNA has become the underlying inspiration for various artists, organizations, and research programs. DNA 11 is proud to be part of the “DNA as art” movement- and we’re inspired by others that create unique concepts with DNA as part of their underlying theme.
Here are 6 inspiring DNA Art concepts:
1) PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG READER
The Bronx Library Center commissioned artist Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle to create a custom art piece with three simple principles: Identity, New Technologies and Artistic Expression. With the help of Chicago-based architect Colin Franzen, Mangalno-Ovall developed the award winning Portrait of a Young Reader.
“DNA is the code and catalog of information from which we are individually and uniquely expressed.” Manglano-Ovall stated.
The DNA creates a unique identity principle in the work, while the use of state of the art genomic technology was used to identify the unique DNA sequence of an anonymous young reader.
Over 3000 colored glass circles are imbedded into 71 steel panels. Each glass circle represents a genetic marker of the anonymous young reader.
2) WEB 2 DNA Art Project
Thomas Baekdal, from Denmark, designed a really interesting web application he created the WEB2DNA Project that is rather simple. You can easily enter any website URL and create a unique graphic representation of the website’s structure. These images look very similar to a PCR Gel- a process used to visualize DNA.
Thomas inspiration came from two sources DNA 11’s process of turning real DNA into works of art and Marcel Salathe’s Websites as Graphs.
Try turning your Website into DNA Art here
3) DNA Jewelry
DNAStuff is a not -for-profit vendor of DNA-themed products. Their DNA Jewelry is custom designed and handcrafted. Proceeds from the sale of each piece helps to raise funds for research in genetics and bioinformatics at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. All of work done by DNAStuff represents their support and commitment to raising awareness for DNA research.
4) Ancient Art Inspires DNA Science
A new study out of the Dana-Farber Cancer institute has combined the ancient art form of Origami with nano-technology to create 3-dimensional structures known as ‘DNA Origami‘. Origami is an ancient process in which Japanese masters make a series of folds in a single piece of paper to create intricate models of animals and other shapes.
The researchers have folded sheets of DNA into multi layered objects. These objects are a thousand times smaller than the thickness of a human hair.
William Shin PhD is the senior author of the study. He believes that this development will enable scientist to make customize DNA objects, with any real 3-D size. The DNA molecules are not being used as they traditionally would be. Instead of being the blueprint for making proteins the DNA molecules are being used as a building component. It is believed that these tiny structures could be the foundation for the invention of advance delivery vehicles that would sneak drugs into patients’ cells.
5) DNA as Music?
Gil Alterovitz is a research fellow at Harvard Medical School (HMS) who has created the Musical Gene Expression. With the hope that doctors will be able to provide patients with better treatment by using technology to monitor their patients.
The Gene Expression combines art with science by paring certain protein structures with certain musical instruments. The result will be a harmonious melody or an atonal melody depending on the health of the patient. For the purpose of the study they used a healthy patient and a cancer patient. The harmonious melody is representative of a healthy patient where as the atonal pairing denotes the sickly patient.
6) Genome Quilts
Beverly St. Clair is a practicing psychiatrist that has combined DNA with the hobby of quilting. The “Human red cone pigment gene” quilt is featured on the cover of December 2008 Nature Genetics. Her quilts are have strong colors and a seemingly traditional design but they reveal an entirely block of information. Beverly use’s a simple quilt block to represent the four bases in DNA: cytosine, guanine, adenine, and thymine.
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