Biology’s four-letter DNA alphabet just expanded to eight

Researchers showed that E. coli RNA polymerase can read and transcribe an eight-letter genetic alphabet containing four natural DNA letters and four synthetic ones.

Life on Earth has always used four DNA letters, but scientists have created a bigger genetic alphabet and found something unexpected

Scientists have demonstrated RNA polymerase can read eight genetic letters. This enzyme accurately transcribes synthetic DNA, ...

Eight-letter DNA alphabet is accurately transcribed by a natural enzyme

All known life on Earth uses the same genetic alphabet, consisting of four letters. Now, researchers at the University of ...