Royal Society Summer Exhibition 2019 - Transmission
Molecular Music
The summer exhibition always throws up some fascinating new ways of seeing. In looking for new ways to translate the structure of a tumour in direct, meaningful ways (allowing for ‘frei improvisation’) I visited the exhibit Molecular Music: The sound of chemistry, from the University of Bradford. Their research explored absorption and transmission, revealing the material frequency fingerprint unique to a particular person.
There is an audible frequency for cancer cells (biomolecules). Researchers used infrared spectroscopy to convert peaks into music with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the structure of tumours: Micro-organisms - microtones.
Fighting Cancer: Saving lives with the help of mathematics (ULC)
I saw a similar concept of visualising a tumour to my Pathotones exhibit in 2013. In this exhibit researchers use advanced biomedical imaging techniques to create detailed virtual 3D tumours which will enable them to simulate how a cancer drug with be delivered to a particular tumour.
This links with my idea to have virtual 3D elements to the interactive composition (alongside Binaural sound), whereby users access spatial features that can both improve awareness of the structure of objects, and contribute to improved memory retention. This could help to access unconscious or automatic processes in the brain (see The What and Where of Eidos), therefore creating a more ‘lived’ experience.
Further aspects to explore
3D printed tumours created from the 3D data, giving a haptic response and direct visualisation of a shrunken tumour to hold.
Explaining the Cezanne gene (OTUD7B) via gene function tones, modulations, drawings, animated in game play: Unravelling the signal environment of the proteins.
Proprioception: This system is unconscious. We don't have to think about the movements of our body or the corrections to movement. Sometimes the reactions take place so fast they are termed reflexive. Proprioceptive ability can be trained through specific exercises.
Light activated machines for fighting cancer
Nanobots: light-activated machines for fighting Cancer