Cell Sounds
Professor James Gimzewski with PhD student Andrew Pelling at the Pico
lab, UCLA first made the discovery that yeast cells oscillate at the
nanoscale in 2002. Amplifying this oscillation results in a sound that
lies within the human audible range. "Sonocytology", the suggested term
for this cutting edge field of study, represents a new realm of challenge
and potential for scientists, artists, and in particular for musicians.
The tool with which the cell sounds are extracted - the atomic force
microscope (AFM) - can be regarded as a new type of musical instrument.
Unlike microscopes that use optical imaging, the AFM "touches" a cell
with its small tip, comparable to a record needle "feeling" the bumps
in a groove on a record. With this interface, the AFM "feels" oscillations
taking place at the membrane of a cell. These electrical signals can
then be amplified and distributed by speakers. Manipulating the cell
with chemicals will result in a change of oscillation. Isopropanol (rubbing
alcohol) for example, will change a "singing cell" into a "screaming
cell". And a chemical such as sodium azide will kill the cell, causing
the emitted frequency to die away, leaving only noise.
(Text source: The
dark side of the cell)