(editor's note: Earlier I brought you the news of the exciting field of XNAs. Today's report continues as science keeps their definitions of "life" fluid as they expand their understanding of possibilities in other parts of the universe.
In my daily treks through the news files of the world I'm amazed at the depth and scope of emerging science technologies! In the bigger picture of our changing world, we understand that these are stepping stones towards joining our Galactic community of scientists.
~All my Love, Boo)
Biologists create a new possibility of life - but not as we know it
Blurring the lines between life and inanimate matter, biologists said they have created six alternatives to DNA and coaxed them to undergo evolution.
The work on these code-carrying molecules, called XNAs, adds to a growing field of test-tube evolution, in which scientists are nudging code-carrying chemicals to evolve into drugs or other useful compounds.
"Everyone wants to know what aliens would use for DNA," said Steven Benner, a biochemist at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution in Gainesville, Fla., who has synthesized artificial DNA but was not involved in the new study. "Lab experiments tell you about the possibilities in the universe."
http://www.startribune.com/nation/149371185.html
