Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is a process of DNA repair that occurs in eukaryotic cells. This bio-mechanism helps to repair double-strand breaks within a DNA molecule. However, there are a number of synonyms for NHEJ that you might come across in scientific literature. Some of the most common terms used include: non-homologous recombination, end-joining, non-homologous fusion, and ligation of free DNA ends. These synonyms are used interchangeably to describe the same process of repairing damaged DNA. Researchers and scientists use these various terminologies depending on their particular field of study and the type of investigation they are conducting.