A remarkable new method to prepare single strands of ancient DNA and view their genomes topped the list of this year's runners-up for Breakthrough of the Year, along with important discoveries into transcription activator–like effector nucleases, neutrino physics, Majorana fermions, the production of eggs cells from stem cells, and brain-machine interfaces. Other notable advances involve the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements, the Mars Curiosity rover, and the use of x-ray lasers to determine protein structure.

In 2013, Science's editors will be watching single-cell sequencing, the European Space Agency's Planck satellite, the Human Connectome Project, expeditions to study subglacial Antarctic waters, cancer immunotherapy, and basic plant research.