Ancient Guardians
A musical exploration of how viral DNA became part of human evolution
In an unexpected fusion of molecular biology and music, our latest song "Ancient Guardians" dives into one of the most fascinating discoveries in human genetics: the story of how an ancient viral sequence became part of our DNA.
The Science Behind the Song
The star of our musical narrative is HERVK (Human Endogenous RetroVirus K), which we pronounce as "Herv-K" throughout the song, an ancient viral sequence that now plays a crucial role in human biology.
Viral Contributions to Human Biology
Some viral sequences have contributed to:
- Interferon networks that help fight infections
- L1 elements that contribute to neuronal diversity
- HERV-T providing genes for zinc transporters
- Viral sequences contributing to amylase production in mammary glands
- ERV elements helping fight specific cancers like Hodgkin's lymphoma
The Music
The song is structured as an epic indie rock piece with spoken word elements, drawing inspiration from bands like Alt-J and Manchester Orchestra. The complex rhythms and dynamics highlight the intricate relationship between viral sequences and human evolution.
Lyrics Highlight
Coded deep in every cell we own
Herv-K stands guard like ancient stone
(Human Endogenous RetroVirus K)
Protecting life when it's newly grown
A viral gift we've always known