Two artificial DNA base pairs that behave like natural base pairs–including being copied accurately by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA inside cells–have been created by Scripps Research Institute researchers.

The researchers expect that in the near future, the new base pairs will be used to synthesize DNA with novel and unnatural properties. These might include highly specific primers for DNA amplification, tags for materials such as explosives that could be detected without risk of contamination from natural DNA, and building novel DNA-based nanomaterials.