Context
Xenobiology is an emerging scientific discipline exploring the possibility of life forms that differ fundamentally from known Earth-based biology. It merges insights from genetics, chemistry, and astrobiology to test how “life” might exist beyond our planet or in synthetic forms on Earth.
Key Facts for Prelims
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Meaning | The study of life forms based on alternative biochemistries—different from Earth’s DNA–RNA–protein system. |
| Etymology | From Greek: xeno = foreign/alien; biology = study of life. |
| Focus Area | Organisms that use different genetic codes, non-standard amino acids, or alternative solvents (like methane or ammonia instead of water). |
| Key Experiments | – Engineering bacteria with extra DNA bases beyond A, T, C, G. – Creating synthetic cells using artificial molecules for information storage or energy metabolism. |
| Scientific Goals | – Understand the limits and definition of life. – Explore synthetic life possibilities. – Help astrobiology search for life elsewhere. |
| Applications | – Biocontained microbes for drug synthesis or waste degradation. – Development of novel biomaterials or enzymes. |
| Ethical Angle | Ensuring safety and containment of synthetic organisms that cannot survive naturally outside labs. |
| Related Fields | Synthetic Biology, Astrobiology, Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering. |
Reference: The Hindu
