Expressing the change of PrPC to PrPSc through a choreographed dance allowed for the representation of alpha-helices, beta sheets, and the act of transformation in a creative way.
The lecture on movement and how muscles work was very fascinating, as was trying to explain the interaction between PrPC and PrPSc through dance. While making the choreography for the dance, I tried to include moves that our class had done in the dance portion of our last class. Spins, jazz squares and lunges all helped emphasize the change from a “good” prion to a “bad” one.
Two songs were used to symbolize the change that PrPC would eventually experience. “Help” by the Beatles has a quick beat and the lyrics have multiple cries for help. PrPC is being “attacked” and forced to change by PrPSc (my roommate, Alyssa Buter). We spin in circles to represent the alpha-helices and then slow down to express beta sheets. The music quickly changes to the Pink Panther Theme Song as PrPC jumps back into the scene as PrPSc. The two “bad” prions then dance as evil friends looking for other prions to change. I also wanted to incorporate what we learned about muscle function through dancing with varying speeds.
2 Responses to Expressing Prions Through Movement