Beneath the XNA world: Tools and targets to build novel biology

Abstract

By assembling biological systems from synthetic components, Xenobiology probes the limits of natural biology. In doing so, it also permits deeper understanding of all levels in biology as well as development of novel applications. Xenobiotic nucleic acids test how information can be maintained, whether enriching natural DNA or replacing it. While the field has progressed significantly over the past 10 years, by focusing on the development of XNA polymerases and ligases, more is needed to tackle experimental bottlenecks and to better integrate the insights being gained. Here, we summarise the recent advances towards artificial genetic materials and highlight the areas likely to provide the next XNA advances.