Borg (microbiology)

Borgs are large (up to ~1 Mbp) extrachromosomal linear DNA elements found in methanotrophic archaea (specifically Methanoperedens spp.)

[1][2][3][4] They have been found in organisms isolated from wetland, aquifer, and riverbed environments, as well as a deserted mercury mine, in California and Colorado.

[citation needed] It is speculated that Borgs may augment Methanoperedens' capacity for anaerobic oxidation of methane and protein production.

[6][7][1] Borgs were discovered on March 8, 2020 by Jill Banfield and her research group at the University of California, Berkeley.

[1] The name "Borg" was chosen as a reference to the Star Trek faction of the same name, due to the novel genetic elements' apparent propensity to assimilate genes from microbes, most notably Methanoperedens; the name was originally suggested by Banfield's son.