Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have reported progress toward the creation of a system for replicating a modified form of DNA containing an unnatural base pair.

According to the scientists, this finding is a significant step towards expanding the genetic code and the ability of DNA to act as an information storage and retrieval system in the test tube and in simple, engineered organisms, such as yeast or bacteria.

DNA with three or more base pairs could find broad applications in a number of fields, including biotechnology, medicine, data storage, and security.

American Chemical Society news release