A compilation of images, including a dog, a blind mole rat, and cell micrographs

Our Favorite Cancer Stories of 2021

This year revealed just how much scientists have learned about the disease, from how animals become naturally cancer-resistant to how tumor cells harness extracellular DNA to develop rapid drug resistance.

Our Favorite Cancer Stories of 2021

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extrachromosomal DNA

extrachromosomal DNA

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Researchers Find DNA “Borgs” in Methane-Chomping Archaea

Annie Melchor | Jul 20, 2021 | 3 min read

Massive extrachromosomal elements named after the hive-minded cyborg villains in Star Trek may be the first of their kind.

Our Expanding Universe

Bob Grant | Apr 1, 2021 | 3 min read

As with the evolution of astronomy, new insights in biology beckon just beyond our conceptual and observational reach.

Non-Chromosomal DNA Drives Tumor Evolution

Anna Azvolinsky | Feb 8, 2017 | 4 min read

Researchers discover that short pieces of DNA harboring oncogenes are relatively widespread in cancer.

New Type of DNA Discovered?

Sabrina Richards | Mar 8, 2012 | 3 min read

Small circles of extrachromosomal DNA appear to be widespread in mammals, and may be byproducts of small deletions in the nuclear DNA of somatic cells.