DNA is only one among millions of possible genetic molecules

Biology encodes information in DNA and RNA, complex molecules finely tuned to their functions. Although, other nucleic acid-like polymers are known, yet much remains unknown regarding possible alternatives for hereditary information storage. Using computational methods, scientists explored the chemical space of stable nucleic acid analogues, finding over one million variants. This suggests a vast unexplored universe of chemistry relevant to pharmacology, biochemistry and efforts to understand the origins of life.