Circular DNA in eukaryotes (ecDNA and eccDNA included): Fusion Conference provides interdisciplinary insights into an emerging field

Circular DNA molecules that exist outside of chromosomes are common in the cells of all eukaryotes. Genes expressed from these extrachromosomal circular DNA molecules drive rapid evolution in yeasts, animals, and plants and play important roles in cancer pathogenesis. To examine common mechanisms for how extrachromosomal circular DNA is formed, expressed, and regulated across eukaryotes, researchers studying circular DNAs in diverse organisms recently met at the Fusion Conference on Extrachromosomal Circular DNA, which was held in Riviera Maya, Mexico, in late 2025.