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Massive DNA ‘Borg’ structures perplex scientists

Researchers say they have discovered unique and exciting DNA strands in the mud — others aren’t sure of their novelty.
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  1. Amber Dance

    1. Amber Dance is a science journalist in Los Angeles, California.

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The Borg have landed — or, at least, researchers have discovered their counterparts here on Earth. Scientists analysing samples from muddy sites in the western United States have found novel DNA structures that seem to scavenge and ‘assimilate’ genes from microorganisms in their environment, much like the fictional Star Trek ‘Borg’ aliens who assimilate the knowledge and technology of other species.

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Nature 595, 636 (2021)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-01947-3

References

  1. Al-Shayeb, B. et al. Preprint at bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.07.10.451761 (2021).

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