Is MYCS a valid word?

MYCS is the plural of MYC, a gene involved in cell growth. It has no A, E, I, O or U, and the M, Y, C and S are worth 11 points together. If MYC is on the board, an S on the end makes MYCS. A science word like this sounds made up at the table, so expect a challenge, and win it. Cancer researchers study myc genes closely because they can push cells to grow out of control when they misfire. Gene names often look like strange abbreviations, and a few have made it into the word list. The name was taken from a virus that causes tumors in birds, where the gene was first found.

Before any bonus squares: M 3 + Y 4 + C 3 + S 1 = 11. On a double-word square that's 22, on a triple-word 33, and every letter bonus under one of these tiles is applied first.

Later in the game, put the Y on a 3L square and MYCS is worth 19 before any word bonus.

Swap any one letter of MYCS and these are still words:

No other word in the list uses exactly the letters M, Y, C and S.

MYCS is the plural of MYC, a gene that controls cell growth.

• Words without vowels

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Tileside checks words against the North American list, the NASPA Word List 2023. Your group's chosen dictionary always wins.

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