Scientists Double DNA's Genetic Alphabet, Enabling New Biological Functions

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have demonstrated that a key cellular enzyme, RNA polymerase, can accurately read and transcribe an eight-letter genetic alphabet, doubling the four letters used by all known life on Earth. High-resolution cryo-electron microscopy revealed that RNA polymerase handles these synthetic DNA letters similarly to natural ones. This breakthrough in synthetic biology suggests that existing cellular machinery can process expanded genetic information, paving the way for engineering biological systems with entirely new functions or for producing novel compounds.