Abstract
Synthetic biology is a field dedicated to designing and building new biological systems for innovative applications, with genetic manipulation as a central focus. Traditionally DNA and RNA serve as the basis of genetic material, but the advent of xenonucleic acids (XNAs)—synthetic analogs of natural nucleotides—has opened new avenues for development in this field. XNAs exhibit unique structural and chemical properties that make them valuable for constructing novel genetic systems with expanded alphabets and improved biosafety measures. This chapter examines the wide-ranging applications of XNAs in synthetic biology, particularly in genetic information storage, gene regulation, biosensing, and therapeutic applications. By leveraging XNAs synthetic biology can push the boundaries of genetic engineering, creating systems beyond natural nucleotides’ limitations. The discussion also addresses the current challenges and prospects for XNA-based systems, aiming to guide the next steps in this rapidly evolving area of research.