The AIDS epidemic started in the 80s when people were dropping like flies because of this vicious disease which remains without a cure. A victim is first attained with HIV, Human Immunology Virus, a retrovirus which is similar to any other virus, such as the flu. However, our body cannot evacuate it and it remains in the victim's system indefinitely, attacking CD4 cells which are responsible for alerting the brain as well as the immune system of any "intruders". Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is last stage of HIV and occurs when the immune system crashes and the CD4 cell count is low. This syndrome usually leads to the death of the patient because the body no longer has way of protecting itself. (1)Although scientists are working around the clock to find a cure, the only current solution is to take drugs which will slow down the process of AIDS. Amprevanir is an example of such a drug. Amprevanir was developed by using a technique called structure-based design, ensuring the importance of the molecular structure. (2)It is a protein inhibitor, which means that it has a function of a protease which transforms proteins into amino acids. This molecule, with a molar mass of 505 g/mol, binds to the AIDS/HIV molecule to reduce its multiplication. In addition, should the molecule manage to reproduce, its activity is blocked, preventing it from infecting other cells.(3)
My artwork is a collage of maps which attempts to reproduce the amprevanir drug in action and portrays five of the nine big ideas in chemistry explored by Peter Atkins. Matter is made of atoms is the first big idea in chemistry. Everything is made up of atoms; this is portrayed in my artwork by showing the AIDS drug on an atomic level using lakes, bodies of water, roads and the borders of maps.
The following big idea touched upon is big idea no.4: molecular shape is a crucial feature in chemistry. As mentioned earlier, AIDS drugs are developed using what is known as structure-based design, which proves the high importance of the molecular anatomy. I used maps to show that, just like on a map, every path, every detour and every curvature is vital in achieving your goal: whether it be combating AIDS or visiting your grandmother in another town.
The next big ideas explored are no.3 and 5: intermolecular forces and chemical bonds. I used the borders of the map to reproduce the drug itself. This attempts to demonstrate that the drug binds the AIDS molecule. In order to achieve this, intermolecular interactions are very important, without them the drug would be with purpose. The relationship between the border of the map and the map itself indicate the restrictions of the map, just like the drug restricts the disease from multiplying. The roads and the bodies of water represent the AIDS drug itself and show the harmony between earth and water, just like the harmonic intramolecular forces in the AIDS molecule. The beige pieces indicate the chemical bonds between the oxygen atoms, which is represented in red and the nitrogen atoms, represented in blue. It is important to note that we are only exposed to part of the drug in my artwork.
The final big idea in chemistry represented by my artwork is idea no. 7: entropy, or rather, in my case, the fight against entropy. The AIDS molecule tends to cause chaos, by multiplying and infecting CD4 cells and destroying the immune system. The drug attempts to fight against entropy by organizing the molecules and binding it, preventing it from being destructive. The importance of organisation is represented by the entire collage. Every piece must be in a specific place and in a specific order. The drug must bind in the appropriate places, therefore the oceans and lakes must meet the map's borders in a certain place. Without the organisation of the roads, the calculated placement of the borders as well as the bodies of water, one would not be able to achieve their goal. Similarly, the structure and organisation of the AIDS drug is essential in combating the disease.
This ugly illness has a beautiful structure and is one example of how beauty and molecular structure collide. Art is omnipresent, much like science. Maybe art and science aren't so different after all.
Work Cited
- http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/what-is-hiv-aids/; May 4th, 2013.
- http://www.rsc.org/images/Drug%20design%20HIV_tcm18-166406.pdf; May 4th, 2013.
- http://www.rxlist.com/agenerase-drug.htm; May 4th, 2013.