The exome is the part of the genome formed by exons, coding portions of genes in the genome that are expressed, that is, provide the genetic blueprint used in the synthesis of proteins and other functional gene products. It is the most functionally relevant part of the genome, with regard to coding for proteins, and, therefore, it is most likely to contribute to the phenotype of an organism. The exome of the human genome is estimated to comprise 1.5% of the total genome.[1]
Some exome-based projects include the nonprofit Personal Genome Project (PGP), the NIH-funded Exome Project, and the microarray-based Nimblegen SeqCap EZ Exome from Roche Applied Science.