Artificial genetic polymers (XNAs) are expected to drive future applications in synthetic biology, biotechnology, and medicine due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, the engineering of natural DNA polymerases to synthesize and propagate XNAs is limited by a general lack of understanding about the structural determinants that govern substrate specificity. Here, I will discuss a microfluidics approach for discovering XNA polymerases that combines droplet-based polymerase sorting (DrOPS) with deep mutational scanning. My talk will emphasize the challenges and successes of polymerase evolution and provide examples where engineered XNA polymerases have enabled the evolution of functional XNAs with ligand binding and catalytic activity. Our focus on XNA polymers, like threose nucleic acid (TNA), that are completely refractory to nuclease digestion provides access to custom reagents that can be made to function under harsh biological conditions.

Advancing the tools and applications of artificial genetic polymers (XNAs)

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.