My article called, “Finding new ways to spell L-I-F-E”, focused on new forms of hereditary molecules in addition to DNA and RNA. These new XNA molecules, known as xenonucleic acids, are synthetic and they replace the deoxyribose and ribose sugars typically found in DNA or RNA, with other sugars. The XNAs have their own unique enzymes that actually allow them to replicate, which sparked many questions in the evolution of life as well as possible advancements in medicine. The following website has a few articles that address potential uses for this new genetic material in medicine and biomedical fields. Since XNA is able to be read and converted from DNA and back, it could prove extremely useful. For instance unlike RNA and DNA, XNA does not degrade as quickly and it could be fixed in order to avoid being affected by nuclease enzymes. This could prove vital in the development of new drugs. XNAs also could prove to be more productive than antibodies for it can pass from the bloodstream into infected cells. Overall the new forms of this genetic material could lead to the production of new life forms as well as new medical developments.
-Ashley Goyette
