Introduction to the themed collection on XNA xeno-nucleic acids

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Synthetic Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Xeno-nucleic acids (XNA) are synthetic analogues of DNA and RNA that can store and retrieve genetic information.
• The development of XNA expands the possibilities for life-like systems and novel molecular tools.

Discussion:

• This themed collection highlights recent advancements in XNA synthesis, structure, and function.
• It covers the diverse applications of XNA in areas such as diagnostics, therapeutics, and synthetic biology.

Key Insights:

• XNA offers unique properties not found in natural nucleic acids, enabling new functionalities.
• The research presented showcases the growing potential of XNA to address challenges in medicine and biotechnology.

Outlook:

• Future research will likely focus on expanding the XNA alphabet and exploring in vivo applications.
• XNA holds promise for developing next-generation diagnostics, therapeutics, and engineered biological systems.