Credit: Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library/ What is DNA, and how does it work? You don't need a degree in genetics to understand. Here, we'll give an overview of DNA and answer questions ...

Our own genetic material is DNA. Its backbone is made of sugar and phosphate building blocks. Like a strand of pearls, the four “letters” of the genetic code are arranged along this backbone.

By swapping sugars in the DNA helix, scientists have created a new kind of genetic code that can function and evolve like regular DNA. By Sarah Fecht Published: Apr 19, 2012 10:00 AM EDT Media ...

DNA is made up of nucleic acid bases -- labeled A, C, G and T -- on a backbone made of phosphates and the sugar deoxyribose. The artificial polymers, dubbed XNAs, carry the normal genetic ...

No longer a mere assistant who carries out the commands of DNA, RNA takes the lead in emerging therapeutics.

Both DNA and RNA are built with a sugar backbone, but whereas the sugar in DNA is called deoxyribose (left in image), the sugar in RNA is called simply ribose (right in image). The "deoxy" prefix ...

Many DNA test kits promise to deliver enticing personal data. Unfortunately, genetic testing results are probably not as accurate as you think.

Chemists have devised a new way to detect chemical damage to DNA that sometimes leads to genetic mutations responsible for many diseases, including various cancers and neurological disorders.

Like DNA, it can form double strands with itself, as well as with DNA or RNA, making it a promising genetic system (Science, DOI: 10.1126/science.1174577).