hypermutable

adjective

hy·​per·​mu·​ta·​ble ˌhī-pər-ˈmyü-tə-bəl 

: 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

hypermutability

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

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hypermutable

adjective

hy·​per·​mu·​ta·​ble -ˈmyüt-ə-bəl 

: exhibiting or capable of excessive mutation or change

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, The Birmingham (Alabama) News

hypermutability

-ˌmyüt-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

"What we've found," he [Kenneth Kinzler] explained, "is a subtle alteration in the genetic code that causes DNA instability and leads to hypermutability, or a cascade of mutations in surrounding genes."

—Newsday (Melville, New York)