Revealing a role for extrachromosomal circular DNA in memory

With recent advances in genome sequencing technology, it has become evident that there is a significant population of circularised DNA in the brain. However, very little is known about the functional relevance of this enigmatic class of DNA. This project will pursue the idea that DNA circles have evolved, in part, to generate mobile enhancers of gene activity that act in a cell-type and state-dependent manner to control neural plasticity. Insights gained from this research may contribute to a new understanding of how the brain forms and maintains long-term memories.