Sci-Art: Harnessing the power of creativity to promote more inclusive learning opportunities

Posted by Katharine Hubert, on 24 July 2024

Over the past year and a half, I had the opportunity to participate in the UW-Madison Kohler Fellowship Program. In this program, an artist is paired with a scientist to create a science-art fusion project, some goals of which include fostering cross disciplinary communication and increasing the accessibility of scientific concepts through art. Though I was accepted into this program as a science fellow, my partner, Sharon Tang, and I both consider ourselves artist-scientists. Sharon is a PhD candidate in the Cell and Molecular Biology program and an avid muralist, while I’m a Genetics PhD candidate and composer/musician. Together we leveraged our scientific knowledge and artistic expertise to create “Genetic Symphonies: the building Hox of life”.

A wooden podium has a music staff laser cut on the surface. The music staff bends and gradually transitions to a DNA double helix. On the music staff are 13 black buttons, with colored note stems. The podium reads “Genetic Symphonies: Building Hox of life” at the top left and contains a scannable QR code in the bottom left for users to obtain more information. A large rectangular speaker sits in the center of the podium with text to describe the installation to the right. The descriptive text reads: “Hox genes are important for development in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Unlike other genes, Hox genes must be activated in a specific order (head to tail) for development to occur. In vertebrates, there are 13 groups of Hox genes, represented here as 13 “building blocks”. Can YOU orchestrate the development of a human by using the music note buttons to activate Hox genes in the correct sequence? Each button turns on a building block with light and music. Take note of the color of the button stem and listen for the number of instruments playing to help you find the correct order.” — **“Podium”:** The control panel for “Genetic Symphonies: Building *Hox* of life” contains 13 black buttons arranged on a music staff that was laser cut into wood. The stem of each music note is color coded to match its corresponding Hox box. Buttons must be pressed in the correct order to activate Hox gene expression in the corresponding box.

As most developmental biologists know, Hox genes are transcription factors critical for patterning the skeletal axes. They also remain one of science’s biggest mysteries; we still have yet to determine what Hox genes actually regulate to control developmental and adult homeostatic processes. In addition to the mysterious mechanisms of action, Hox genes possess unique properties (clustered chromosomal arrangement, spatio-temporal expression pattern, regional restriction) that lend nicely to artistic manipulation and exploration.

Sharon and I took advantage of these features to generate an interactive, multi-modal exhibit. In our exhibit, 13 paralogous groups of Hox genes are represented by 13 painted building blocks, affectionately referred to as “Hox boxes”. Likewise, there are 13 color-coded, randomized, buttons that control each “Hox box” on an accompanying podium. Participants must activate gene expression, via a button press, and determine the correct order of Hox gene activation (head to tail). Each correct button press produces light in the corresponding box and sounds a unique measure of music. With each successive, correct, button press participants develop their own genetic symphony and an abstract human figure via lights. By conveying development through both light and sound, we also increase the accessibility of our exhibit.

Want to know more about Genetic Symphonies: Building Hox of life? Check out Behind Building: Hox ! At this site, you can find more information about the construction, fabrication, composition, and electronics of the exhibit.

A large wooden panel is painted with green leaves and a river in the background. 13 painted, wooden boxes sit on top of the panel and are painted various colors to blend animals outlined with white lines, including an elephant, lizard, butterfly wing, squirrel, fish,and flamingo. Within all of the animals, a hidden, abstract human is lit up. This figure is reflected in the foreground on a tile floor. — **“Lights on”:** When all 13 buttons are pressed in the correct order, a hidden abstract human figure illuminates from within the boxes.

(3 votes)

Tags: Hox, SciArt, science art, science communication
Categories: Outreach, Science Art

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