ScienceAugust 8, 2026
pangenome
PAN-jee-nohm
Definition
The entire set of genes found across all individuals within a specific species, including both common core genes and accessory genes unique to certain strains.
Etymology
The word is a portmanteau derived from the Greek prefix 'pan-' meaning 'all' or 'whole' and the term 'genome,' which itself is a combination of 'gene' and the suffix '-ome' (representing a complete set).
In the news
In the article, the researchers assembled a pangenome from eight different rat strains to capture genetic variations that a single reference genome would miss. This tool allows scientists to better identify which genetic sequences contribute to specific diseases.
Telomere-to-telomere brown rat genome could sharpen disease research models
Read the full article ↗medicalxpress.com