This $1,120,000 Project Grant, awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074), supports research to explore expanding the genetic alphabet beyond the natural four-letter code (A, T, G, C). The project aims to develop model systems to study the biomolecular properties of a six-letter genetic alphabet, with the goal of advancing understanding of the relationship between genetic molecule structure and biological function. The research will involve synthetic biology and chemical biology strategies to measure translation efficiency and transcription fidelity of the six-letter RNA code. An integrated ethicist will examine the conceptual, ethical, and societal implications. The project will be carried out by the University of Washington, with potential sub-awards planned, and will run from September 2024 through August 2027.
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