The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics presents a symphonic art installation "The Central Dogma", which explores the fundamental processes of molecular biology through music and visual elements. The artwork celebrates the depth and complexity of science and provides a unique experience of biochemistry and molecular biology.
In this work, the essence lies in the "scale" that arises in the background of the five molecules that make up the "steps" in DNA and mRNA. Guanine, Cytosine, Adenine, Thymine and Uracil become in the world of music a five-tone scale with the notes A, C, D, E and G, five notes which can reasonably be regarded as the central dogma of music.
The artist behind the work, Tao Højgaard, who is a professional jazz musician, composer and sound artist, specialises in communicating science and philosophy through artistic channels
Art and science are a partner that inspires and complements each other. Historically, there are numerous examples of scientists and artists who are either lifelong friends, spouses, or otherwise relationally and intellectually connected. Philosophically, one can perhaps explain it by saying that the essence of art is to ask abstract questions, where the essence of science is to find concrete answers. Two, apparently very different, arenas that continuously complement and expand each other in a larger synergistic community.
The department's new art installation is a symphonic presentation of the central dogma, described through four movements. The work is in 6/8 time, and with 120 beats per minute, has a duration of 5 minutes and 46 seconds. The work explores DNA, transcription and translation in a musical form, where the DNA bases become notes, mRNA melodies emerge and amino acids are represented as harmonic triads. The work takes its starting point from the 5th kringle domain in the human plasminogen protein. The methodical and precise translation from science to work of art has been created in close collaboration between the department's professor of structural microbiology Ditlev Egeskov Brodersen and composer and sound artist Tao Højgaard.
In this work, the similarity lies in the "scale" that arises in the background of the five molecules that make up the "steps" in DNA and mRNA. Guanine, Cytosine, Adenine, Thymine and Uracil become in the world of music a five-tone scale with the notes A, C, D, E and G, five notes which can reasonably be regarded as the central dogma of music.
