Borg (microbiology)
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Borgs are large (up to ~1 Mbp) extrachromosomal linear DNA elements found in methanotrophic archaea (specifically Methanoperedens spp.) that live in oxygen-starved environments such as deep mud.[1][2][3] They have been found in organisms isolated from wetland, aquifer, and riverbed environments, as well as a deserted mercury mine, in California and Colorado.[1] They were first described by Basem Al-Shayeb and Jill Banfield in 2022.[1]
The nature of Borgs remains unclear; they are thought to be "giant linear plasmids" or giant viruses.[1][4] At least 19 different types have been identified, all of which co-occur within Methanoperedens, which shares many of their genes.[1] Methanoperedens' main chromosome is only about three times larger than the Borgs it hosts.[citation needed] It is speculated that Borgs may augment Methanoperedens' capacity for anaerobic oxidation of methane and protein production.[5][6][1]