Xenobiology - Wikipedia
Xenobiology (XB) is a subfield of synthetic biology, the study of synthesizing and manipulating biological devices and systems.[ 1] The name "xenobiology" derives from the Greek word xenos, which means "stranger, alien". Xenobiology is a form of biology that is not (yet) familiar to science and is not found in nature.[ 2] In practice, it describes novel biological systems and biochemistries that differ from the canonical DNA–RNA-20 amino acid system (see central dogma of molecular biology). For example, instead of DNA or RNA, XB explores nucleic acid analogues, termed xeno nucleic acid (XNA) as information carriers.[ 3] It also focuses on an expanded genetic code[ 4] and the incorporation of non-proteinogenic amino acids, or “xeno amino acids” into proteins.[ 5] [ 6]
"Astro" means "star" and "exo" means "outside". Both exo- and astrobiology deal with the search for naturally evolved life in the Universe, mostly on other planets in the circumstellar habitable zone. (These are also occasionally referred to as xenobiology.[ 2] ) Whereas astrobiologists are concerned with the detection and analysis of life elsewhere in the Universe, xenobiology attempts to design forms of life with a different biochemistry or different genetic code than on planet Earth.[ 2]
