Prettiest Proteins

When I was developing ideas for drawings to include in the “Science of Healing” collection, I came across an infrared spectroscopy of DHEA, a hormone produced by the adrenal gland when in a relaxed state. It was a fun spiraling image, thus inspiring a drawing that I then integrated into several digital collages.

I added it to my Etsy shop, not thinking too much about it, but then I had a customer ask if I made other protein structures. She was a molecular biology student who had worked with proteins and shared that she was looking for some “pretty protein” structures. Honestly, I hadn’t really thought about proteins as being pretty, but she shared with me a link to some examples and explained how they form in unique patterns.

I loved learning more and created some protein drawings inspired by this new information. It was very cool to see how several of the same molecule could come together in such harmonious ways, and it just reminded me of nature’s intelligence. We see beauty in flowers and oceans and the sky. Why wouldn’t beauty be at science’s most fundamental levels?

This also reminds me of a post I saw yesterday:

Both our lungs and trees have evolved similar structures to maximize surface area for gas exchange. The beauty we see in nature is not just what’s outside of ourselves. It’s also what’s within us.

Nature has been evolving for millions of years to become the most fitted for survival. Our bodies are capable of so much to help us heal, regenerate, reproduce, and live a healthy life. And on so many levels too–through biochemical, physiological, anatomical, and electromagnetic energy systems that have all integrated together in a brilliant way. It’s worthwhile to stop and think about once in a while!