Sound Science

Biomedical animator Drew Berry (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) is known for his fantastic and detailed depictions of complex biomolecular systems. His award-winning work, which can be viewed online, in television and film, and in museums throughout the world, now appears in new and unusual venues thanks to a collaboration with the musician Björk.

Björk's latest project Biophilia manifests her love for music, technology, and nature in many ways: an album, iPad app, touring production (which includes a 24-woman Icelandic choir and a musical Tesla coil), and a music education initiative.

To accompany the song "Hollow," Björk's meditation on biological ancestry, Berry created a lush landscape for DNA to replicate (and sparkle) to the music. Molecular machines work at real-time speed, culminating in the appearance of Björk as a complex protein structure. Many of the molecular shapes, illustrated with great depth and rich color, were created with the help of crystal structure data from the PDB.

Recently released online, the animation is projected on screens throughout the venues hosting Björk's concerts, and is highlighted on stage during the performance of "Hollow." The related iPad app includes the "Hollow" movie and a "machine" that lets users queue up floating enzymes to interact with the replisome to create music.

For more about Drew Berry's molecular animations, see bit.ly/wsGhIu
For more about Börk and Biophilia, see bjork.com