Myxomatosis

Myxomatosis is about the relationship between the Oryctolagus cuniculus rabbit and the myxoma virus, which is the best example of a host-virus coevolution. This means that the virus has the potential to drive the evolution of its hosts. For this project, the DNA sequence code of both organisms was translated into music and/or image. 

An image cannot only give a graphical view of it but also text. When an image is opened as a .jpg file in a word editing software it shows us text data which can be modified and influenced as wanted with the potential of creating a glitch effect.

The DNA code is built or represented by letters in representation of its constitution. The DNA is formed out of four bases, adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T). A, C, G and T, in DNA determines the unique genetic code of every organism and provides the instructions for producing molecules in their bodies.

A glitched effect on the image of a rabbit was induced by the addition of the DNA sequence of the myxoma virus into the image’s text in TextEdit software in order to “infect” the rabbit. 

On the other hand, the rabbit’s and myxoma virus DNA sequence was translated into music in pure data. Both were played syntonized one with the other but the DNA rabbit’s melody was “infected” too with the melody of the myxoma virus DNA sequence in order to have a glitch sound.