Scientists have wondered why the number of protein-coding genes in an organism doesn’t strongly correlate with its “apparent” complexity. The emerging answer to this question is contained in the DNA regions outside the protein-coding genes—once thought to be “junk DNA.”

In Answers Research Journal 6 (2013): 367-375

Until recently, thousands of tiny, potential protein-coding regions in the genome called "small open reading frames" or "smORFs" have been difficult to identify. They are now getting well-deserved attention for the important biochemical functions they play in the cell—like making your heart beat.¹

A completely new category of circular RNAs has been discovered, adding another layer of amazing complexity to human genetics. These circular RNAs are formed from the intron regions inside a gene that were once thought to be nothing but junk DNA.¹