The antibodies that neutralize the Covid virus become music. 'Antibody protein in E minor' is the title of the symphony composed by Markus Buehler of the Massachussets institute of technology in Boston. The composer, after the Spike protein, has 'transformed' the defenses against this virus into notes. The song was performed last month at Lindenbaum Festival Orchestra, South Korea with a very specific message. “It's an upbeat piece as we are entering this new phase of the pandemic,” said Buehler, professor of engineering and composer of experimental music. This piece is the continuation of 'Viral counterpoint of protein spike (Viral Counterpoint) ', composed by Buehler during the first wave of the coronavirus. Now this new piece is meant for an orchestra of 10 musicians.
Covid, antibodies turn into melody
While 'Viral counterpoint ', based on the protein that paves the way for the virus in the organism, was restless and a little sinister, the latter is harmonious and joyful, because it is based on the protein that attacks the virus. Both compositions are based on a theory developed by Buehler to translate protein structures into musical scores. The antigen and virus proteins both have 20 amino acids, which can be expressed as twenty different tones of vibration.
Proteins, like other molecules, vibrate at different frequencies, a phenomenon used by Buehler to 'see' the virus and its variants, capturing their intertwining in musical notes. The composer thus discovered that the proteins of the Sarscov2 virus vibrate with less intensity and frequency than those of Sars and Mers. Researchers speculate that viruses use vibrations to 'force' entry into cells. “The more energetic the protein, the more lethal the virus or its mutation. Since the SARS-CoV-2 continues to change, this method offers us a way to study the variants ". These are Buehler's conclusions, according to whom transforming science into art is “like finding another microscope to observe nature”. The composer also wants to see if the molecular vibrations of proteins can be used for therapeutic purposes.
Today's data
Meanwhile, the contagion curve continues to decline, confirming that the pandemic is significantly retreating throughout the national territory. According to data released by the Ministry of Health, they registered in the last 24 hours 3.937 new positive cases (yesterday 3.224). The new deaths are 121 (yesterday 166). The discharged healed today are 11.930 (yesterday 11.348); altogether the positive cases are 260.029, 8.116 cheaper than yesterday. The molecular and antigenic swabs carried out in the last 24 hours are 260.962 (yesterday 252.646). In the intensive care units they are hospitalized 1.278 Covid patients (yesterday 1.323) while in home isolation they still remain 250.633 people infected with the virus (258.265 yesterday)
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