Origins of life could have started with DNA0like XNAs

Synthetic XNA molecules can evolve and store genetic information, just like DNA.

XNAs are said to be made up of chains of linked nucleotides, closely related to that of both DNA and RNA. What they differ in is that of sugar backbones. The human body is unable to break down genetic codes which is what XNAs carry. Researchers say that they can bind to protein and act as enzymes. After having completed a number of tests, researchers hypothesized whether these molecules had existed in that of the early Earth days. Also with the ability to form DNA precursors. 

I found this article to be interesting because I had never heard of XNAs before and what they entailed. I also wonder how it may or may not relate to that of both DNA and RNA given the close name relation.

Attached is a link to read more bout XNAs.

Synthetic Genetic Material?

Scientists in Cambridge, UK have created a compound called "XNA". It is similar to DNA and RNA, essentially replacing the deoxyribose and ribose with some other molecule. According to researchers, some of the XNA's created are actually more stable than our own naturally occurring nucleic acids. Certain speculations point to potential uses in drugs, therapies, and laboratory testing. There is possibly a way to make synthetic life from XNA's; a topic that will surely generate controversy in the future. Perhaps new genetic therapies that involve these synthetic molecules will open new doors into the realm of genetics that have never been explored before.



Most importantly, since scientists can manipulate and create these XNA's as they desire, it can help scientists to understand the processes of DNA and RNA more closely. These two nucleic acids are the essence of life, and if they can be understood better, there may be no boundaries to what can now be achieved in a laboratory.  Understanding our own genetic code more closely can potentially benefit mankind in amazing ways.