Definition of hypermutable
: exhibiting or capable of excessive mutation or change
- Only the hypermutable cells that subsequently achieve a beneficial mutation would survive; the others would cease to be viable.
- —John Rennie
- Another severe obstacle for those with compromised immune systems: the hypermutable bacteria that can be found in cystic fibrosis patients. These chameleon-like germs produce numerous mutations when they replicate, creating more potential possibilities for drug resistance.
- —Jim Doyle
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hypermutability
play \ˌhī-pər-ˌmyü-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun-
- "What we've found is a subtle alteration in the genetic code that causes DNA instability and leads to hypermutability, or a cascade of mutations in surrounding genes …"
- —Kenneth Kinzler
