Polysynaptic Reflex Archestra – Applied DNA Sonifications in Nutrigenomics (2026)

Listening Excerpts

Tracks playing – 1. PPARG [A], 2. PPARG [T], 12. DRD2 [T], 31. LPL [A], 41. CYP1A1 [A]

Tracklist

  1. PPARG [A] – [1:49]
  2. PPARG [T] – [5:37]
  3. PPARG [C] – [7:05]
  4. TCF7L2 [A] – [2:35]
  5. TCF7L2 [G] – [6:14]
  6. TCF7L2 [C] – [4:03]
  7. ADRB2 [A] – [5:36]
  8. ADRB2 [T] – [7:17]
  9. GC [A] – [3:37]
  10. GC [G] – [3:29]
  11. GC [C] – [4:15]
  12. DRD2 [T] – [2:49]
  13. DRD2 [G] – [3:53]
  14. DRD2 [C] – [3:14]
  15. FTO [T] – [2:53]
  16. FTO [G] – [4:28]
  17. FTO [C] – [5:07]
  18. FUT2 [T] – [2:35]
  19. FUT2 [G] – [2:58]
  20. ADRB3 [A] – [2:11]
  21. ADRB3 [T] – [9:09]
  22. ADRB3 [G] – [6:02]
  23. HLA DQA1 [A] – [3:36]
  24. HLA DQA1 [G] – [4:37]
  25. HLA DQA1 [AA] – [3:33]
  26. CYP1A2 [A] – [5:03]
  27. CYP1A2 [T] – [3:09]
  28. MTHFR [A] – [4:24]
  29. MTHFR [G] – [5:27]
  30. MTHFR [C] – [3:58]
  31. LPL [A] – [5:49]
  32. LPL [T] – [3:53]
  33. LPL [C] – [3:04]
  34. FABP2 [T] – [6:25]
  35. FABP2 [G] – [5:09]
  36. LCT [A] – [4:05]
  37. LCT [T] – [5:07]
  38. ADIPOQ [A] – [2:31]
  39. ADIPOQ [T] – [5:11]
  40. ADIPOQ [C] – [3:30]
  41. CYP1A1 [A] – [4:37]
  42. CYP1A1 [T] – [3:19]
  43. CYP1A1 [AA] – [2:16]

Applied DNA Sonifications in Nutrigenomics is a research informed music project exploring the relationship between genetics, nutrition, and sound.

This album emerges from a yearlong inquiry into how biological patterns, particularly DNA sequences, can be translated into musical form. Rather than presenting sonification as a purely technical exercise, this work treats genetic data as a compositional starting point: a source of rhythm, melody, repetition, harmony, and variation.
The result is a body of music that sits between a blend of genres from symphonic composition, jazz fusion, electro-acoustic textures, and minimalist processes, inviting both contemplative listening and deeper exploration.

Additional visual and reference materials accompany the album as part of the release.

This project expands upon earlier explorations begun Genetic Soundbank, which focused on DNA sonifications in the context of music therapy and wellness modalities. While Genetic Soundbank emphasized therapeutic listening experiences, this project Polysynaptic Reflex Archestra moves toward a more compositional and orchestral framework, treating genetic material not only as healing sound, but as structured musical architecture.

Earlier works such as Post-Mendelian (the PINK1 gene in specific, one of many genes related to Parkinsons) laid the conceptual groundwork for this direction. This album represents a continuation and formalization from that inquiry.

DNA sonification is the process of converting genetic sequence data into sound. In this project, nucleotide sequences associated specific genes are algorithmically mapped to musical notes, intervals, and rhythmic motifs. Rather than translating entire genomes verbatim, this work focuses on structural features in genes, particularly repeating motifs, sequence density and pattern recurrence. Each gene yields a distinct melodic identity, shaped by its internal structure rather than imposed musical templates.

At the core of each composition is a melody or motif derived from the longest repeated substring in a gene’s DNA sequence, an element that contributes to the gene’s structural identity. This motif becomes the melodic and rhythmic anchor around which each piece evolves.

Originally, the compositions were conceived as three distinct sections reflecting different functional regions of a gene (coding, non-coding, and regulatory). As the project developed, these ideas further evolved into multiple independent compositions per gene rather than fixed internal movements, allowing greater stylistic freedom while retaining a shared genetic origin.

Multiple compositions may therefore appear under a single gene.
These are indexed using nucleotide notation (A, T, G, C), representing distinct compositional realizations derived from the same genetic motif rather than hierarchical versions. As a symbolic compositional constraint, known risk alleles are excluded from this indexing.

While early experiments explored alternative tuning systems (including 16-EDO), the final compositions primarily employ the Western 12-tone system, allowing greater coherence across platforms and ensembles while preserving the integrity of the genetic mappings.

A central challenge throughout was ensuring the music remained musical, not merely just algorithmic transcription, but balancing structure intuition, repetition expression.

This album focuses specifically on genes related to nutrition, metabolism, and metabolic health, including pathways involved in insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, nutrient absorption, and common nutritional deficiencies. Many of these genes are associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to metabolic disorders and chronic disease states. While this work does not claim clinical outcomes, it explores the hypothesis that engaging gene-derived musical structures may offer a novel way of reflecting on biological function and balance.

The term polysynaptic refers to neural pathways involving multiple synaptic connections rather than a single linear reflex. The title reflects both the neurological inspiration behind the project and the compositional approach itself, where multiple genres, tools, algorithms, and intuitions interact simultaneously.

The music presented here is intended as an exploratory and experiential work. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Methodological Reference –

Portions of this work informed the development of the methodology described in:

Sagar, K. Z (2026). A Constraint-Based Methodology for Musical Sonification of Genetic Sequences.
DOI: 10.5281/ZENODO.18417876 , ORCID: 0009-0009-4483-8044

Resources, References, Research –

Human Genome Project — genome.gov
Genome India Project — genomeindia.in (http://genomeindia.in/)
IndiGenomes — academic.oup.com (http://academic.oup.com/)
UCSC Genome Browser — genome.ucsc.edu (http://genome.ucsc.edu/)
Genetic Soundbank – www.youtube.com/@GeneticSoundbank

Album artwork and inlay designs draws inspiration from –

  • The Doctrine of Signatures
  • Phytognomonica
  • Anatomical illustration and scientific plate design

All composition, arrangement, mixing, mastering, visual design were conceptualized and completed by Dr. Zubin Sagar. 


released January 23, 2026

Credits –

This work draws upon publicly available research, datasets, and educational resources from institutions including

the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology – CCMB (Hyderabad),
National Institute of Nutrition – NIN (Hyderabad),

ICMR, CSIR, NCBI, UCSC Genome Browser and related international genomics initiatives.

These acknowledgements are made in recognition of their contributions to the broader scientific landscape that informs this project.

Purchase

The full album is available for purchase as a digital release.
Purchase includes high-quality audio files and accompanying materials.

Digital Release – $11.99

Purchase Digital Album