1. Provide an abstract/narrative/summary for your final project.

Aim 1:

I will be building a series of sculptures that are designed in part by software that I built that converts English into protein models with the use of ESMFold.

Aim 2:

I will also develop a microbial metal etching primer that I can use to prepare metal surfaces for painting, in lieu of highly toxic chemical etching primers.

Aim 3:

I would like to build giant versions of these sculptures with the DNA encoding encapsulated inside of the sculptures, and with paint that grows on the metal over time. Perhaps the paint will also contain messages in its DNA. Taken together, I hope these pieces stand alone as beautiful objects that contain thought provoking messages, but also as a pathway into learning about biology, code, and deeper questions about memory and (im)permanence for those who are curious.

2. Provide a background and motivation section for your final project.

a. Explain your motivation for pursuing your project

b. Describing the current state of knowledge related to your project. Try to cite at least 2 peer-reviewed research papers.

• Biomachining: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924013619304856
• DNA storage:
  • Asimov Press Capsule edition
  • “just add water”: https://news.mit.edu/2016/to-produce-biopharmaceuticals-on-demand-just-add-water-0922
  • Holobacterium - last for millions of years when dried
• Metal etching products:
  • Self etching primer

c. Describe how your project is innovative and expand upon the significance of your final project.

• Sculpture -