kokogenomin

Kokogenomin is a term used in speculative and interdisciplinary discussions to describe a theoretical subset of a genome deemed essential for basic cellular life under minimal conditions. The concept is commonly encountered in discussions of comparative genomics and synthetic biology as a way to frame ideas about what a minimally viable genome might contain.

Definition and scope: Kokogenomin may denote either a universal core genome—a set of genes retained across many species implicated in fundamental processes such as DNA replication, transcription, translation, energy metabolism, and membrane maintenance—or a lineage-specific minimal genome identified under controlled laboratory conditions. In practice, it overlaps with the ideas of core genome and essential genes but emphasizes a functional threshold of essentiality under limited resources.

Applications and limitations: The kokogenomin concept guides theoretical work on designing minimal cells and understanding evolutionary constraints on genome content. It is used to discuss what constitutes the essential machinery of life in a broad sense. However, the definition is context-dependent: essential genes vary by organism, environment, and methodological approach, making universal kokogenomin controversial. Horizontal gene transfer and regulatory networks further complicate cross-species generalizations.

See also: Core genome; Minimal genome; Essential gene; Synthetic biology.