A study involving UC Berkeley researchers has discovered unique DNA sequences with the potential to encourage cellular methane consumption, which could combat the greenhouse gas’s harmful effect on climate. The preprint study, authored by UC Berkeley biogeochemist Jillian Banfield and researchers from the Innovative Genomics Institute, named the genetic elements “Borgs” after the “Star Trek” alien characters that “assimilate” the genes of other alien beings, according to researcher and the study’s first author Basem Al-Shayeb. Similar to these aliens, the DNA can obtain varying functionalities from an organism, mainly methane-oxidizing archaea, or cell and other chromosomal elements, according to the study.