plasmidiinclude

Plasmidiinclude is a neologism used in genetic discussions to describe the inclusion of plasmid DNA within a host genome or larger genetic construct, rather than its maintenance as an independent episome. The term is not part of formal nomenclature and has no single universally accepted definition.

In bacterial genetics, plasmid inclusion can occur through recombination events or the action of mobile genetic elements; in sequencing data, plasmid-derived sequences may appear integrated into chromosomal contigs, a situation described as plasmid inclusion. The concept is often discussed when distinguishing episomal plasmids from integrated forms because the inheritance patterns and gene expression can differ between the two states.

The term is of interest for studies of genome plasticity, horizontal gene transfer, and the evolution of plasmid-host relationships. It is commonly used in speculative or exploratory discussions rather than as a standardized category in textbooks or major databases.

Etymology and usage: plasmidiinclude blends "plasmid" and "inclusion," reflecting its focus on the incorporation or embedding of plasmid DNA rather than its autonomous maintenance. The earliest informal uses appear in online discussions and grey literature from the 2010s and 2020s, and it remains a nonstandard, context-dependent term.

See also: plasmid, genome integration, horizontal gene transfer.