Plasmids are small extrachromosomal genetic elements that frequently occur in bacterial cells and can influence microbial lifestyles—yet their diversity in natural habitats is poorly understood.

Massive extrachromosomal elements named after the hive-minded cyborg villains in Star Trek may be the first of their kind. Small circles of extrachromosomal DNA appear to be widespread in mammals, and ...

In contrast to chromosomal DNA, which is replicated and divvied up equally among daughter cells during cell division, the extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA ... transcription of oncogenes, as genetic ...