New clues to identity of first genetic molecule
July 27, 2003 | Source: New Scientist
TNA, possibly a precursor to RNA, can be assembled by natural enzymes, Jack Szostak, a molecular biologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, has shown.
TNA is based on a sugar called threose instead of the deoxyribose found in DNA and the ribose in RNA. Szostak could explore the feasiblity of a TNA-based biology.