![3D model from EM data of an octahedral nanostructure composed entirely of an artificial XNA polymer](https://www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/OCT-Press-fig-150x150.jpg)
‘Synthetic biology’ is a scientific approach that seeks to answer fundamental questions in biology by reconstruction and modification of the molecules and processes of life. Beyond its well-known role as the carrier of genetic information, DNA (and its close cousin RNA) have shown great promise as a nano-molecular building material: by careful arrangement of the bases A, T, C and G, DNA strands can be programmed to fold into specific 3D shapes.