epigenetics

noun

epi·​ge·​net·​ics ˌe-pə-jə-ˈne-tiks 

plural in form but singular in construction

: the study of heritable changes in gene function that do not involve changes in DNA sequence

Examples of epigenetics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To Shelley Berger, an epigenetics researcher at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the NIH director’s advisory panel, de-emphasizing an applicant’s background is a mistake. —Byjocelyn Kaiser, science.org, 17 Jan. 2023

Thomas Rando, director of the Broad Stem Cell Research Center at the University of California Los Angeles, has long studied the role of epigenetics in aging but wasn’t involved in the Sinclair study. —Robert Weisman, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Jan. 2023

Of course, the prospects of epigenetics and its implications for human evolution are also fascinating. —Saugat Bolakhe, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2022

The drugs affected the voles' epigenetics by unwinding their DNA so that genes for vasopressin and oxytocin receptors were more highly transcribed. —Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2013

Word History

Etymology

epi- + genetics, after epigenesis and phenogenetics "developmental genetics," borrowed from German Phänogenetik, from phäno- (in Phänotypus phenotype entry 1) + Genetik genetics

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

epigenetics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction

epi·​ge·​net·​ics -iks 

: the study of heritable changes in gene function that do not involve changes in DNA sequence

At its most basic, epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations to the genetic code but still get passed down to at least one successive generation.

—John Cloud, Time

Epigenetics is the study of the chemical groups that stick to DNA and act as switches to turn genes on and off.

—New Scientist