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Definition

All the exons in a genome. In humans, the exome is less than 2% of the genome.

Use in clinical context

In a gene, it is the exons which contain the genetic code for proteins. The exome refers to all the exons in a genome. The exome is a small proportion of the human genome – less than 2%. While there is still a lot to be discovered about the exome, it is the most well understood part of the genome. Whole exome sequencing is a technique that can be used to analyse this region.

Related terms

Genome | Protein

Last updated on 22nd October, 2020