genotoxin

[jen-uh-tok-sin, jee-nuh-]

noun

1. a toxic agent that damages DNA molecules in genes, causing mutations, tumors, etc.

Other Word Forms

• genotoxic adjective

Example Sentences

In 2006, a genotoxin called colibactin, which is made by certain strains of the gut-dwelling bacterium Escherichia coli, was discovered2.

Read more on Nature