episome

[ep-uh-sohm]

noun

Genetics.

1. bacterial DNA that is extrachromosomal and that may replicate autonomously as a plasmid or become incorporated into the chromosome and replicate with it.

episome

/ ˈɛpɪˌsəʊm /

noun

1. a unit of genetic material (DNA) in bacteria, such as a plasmid, that can either replicate independently or can be integrated into the host chromosome

Other Word Forms

• episomal adjective
• episomally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of episome¹

First recorded in 1930–35; epi- + -some ³

Example Sentences

AAV seemed to be a safer alternative because genes introduced by the modified virus generally become a free-floating loop, known as an episome, in the cell’s nucleus.

Read more on Science Magazine

None of the tumours expressing CMV showed evidence of CMV integration into the host genome, suggesting the presence of a stable episome.

Read more on Nature