Watch: Beyond the 20, a Short Film About What Lies Beyond Nature’s Molecular Design

What if we could imagine a world beyond the 20 amino acids that appear in the genetic code of life? In their short film, Beyond the 20, filmmaker John Marty and Flatiron Institute Research Scientist Vikram Mulligan take you on a journey that explores the keys to purposefully shaping molecules. The film reflects on curiosity, limitations and what lies just beyond the edges of nature’s design. Shot primarily on Super 8, Beyond the 20 is a poetic science essay film exploring the natural boundary between New York City’s built environment and molecular engineering design challenges.

The film, which you can stream now, was made as part of Symbiosis, a two-week program that pairs six scientists with six filmmakers. Each pair is tasked with creating short, boundary-pushing films. This year’s Symbiosis program is a component of the Simons Foundation’s Researcher Engagement program, an initiative of the foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division.

Learn more and stream all the films here.