Mike Tyka makes beautifully crafted molecule sculptures out of copper and steel. As a scientist who studies the structure and dynamics of protein molecules, he hopes to “capture some of the hidden beauty of these amazing molecules, make it accessible to the general public, and maybe act as inspiration for those who want to learn more about these fascinating molecules that make life possible.”

About Bacterial Porin:

Porins are beta-barrel proteins that are situated in the outer membranes of cells or organelles (cellular compartments) and act as pores through which molecules can diffuse. They are present in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and some Gram-positive bacteria. They are also present in the mitochondria of humans and other animals as well as in the chloroplast of plants…

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A special thanks to Mike for alerting me to his recent work.

Artist Mia Brownell’s still-life paintings of fruit reference Dutch Old Master paintings while incorporating a very modern understanding of DNA, amino acids, and protein chains. 

She has long been interested in the biotechnology industry and ways in which plants are genetically modified to thrive in the marketplace. “Food is the most profound relationship we have with nature.” says Brownell. “It’s the interaction of our bodies and agriculture.”

Protein Art - In Thread and Ink by Jenny Langley

Langley on her work:

Many aspects of protein structure inspire my work. Sawtooth lines represent the strong protein ‘backbone’, there are hints of helices, pleating, U-bends, random structure and the energetic electrons found at active sites. Prints taken from the textile represent the ephemeral contact during an enzyme reaction. All threads and materials are silk, a protein of course!