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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The discovery gave rise to epigenetics, the study of what influences gene expression and how. 
Rachel Yehuda, Scientific American, 18 June 2022 And all these channels seem to involve epigenetics: alterations in the way that genes function. Rachel Yehuda, Scientific American, 18 June 2022 Growing interest in biological age is fueled by advances in the field of epigenetics, the study of how gene expression is affected by behaviors and the environment. Betsy Morris, WSJ, 24 May 2022 Bacterial epigenetics is an excellent focus for antibiotic development, Jakob says, because its mechanisms are shared across many bacteria species—but use fundamentally different proteins than eukaryotic cells do. Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 30 Mar. 2022 These studies are a major step in understanding bacterial epigenetics, says University of Leiden biochemist Remus Dame, who was not involved in either study. Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 30 Mar. 2022 There are chapters on the development of genetics, the eugenics movement, the heritability of family traits and the field of epigenetics, which studies whether our genes can be altered by experience (short answer: it’s complicated). Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2022 The improvements are a function of epigenetics, the process through which our lifestyles and environments—and those of our ancestors—permanently alter how our cells interpret DNA. The Editors, Outside Online, 15 Dec. 2014 The company thinks its technology has applications across neuroscience, epigenetics, virology, immuno-oncology, drug development, diagnostics and vaccine development. Mike Freeman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2022 See More
Rachel Yehuda, Scientific American, 18 June 2022 And all these channels seem to involve epigenetics: alterations in the way that genes function. Rachel Yehuda, Scientific American, 18 June 2022 Growing interest in biological age is fueled by advances in the field of epigenetics, the study of how gene expression is affected by behaviors and the environment. Betsy Morris, WSJ, 24 May 2022 Bacterial epigenetics is an excellent focus for antibiotic development, Jakob says, because its mechanisms are shared across many bacteria species—but use fundamentally different proteins than eukaryotic cells do. Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 30 Mar. 2022 These studies are a major step in understanding bacterial epigenetics, says University of Leiden biochemist Remus Dame, who was not involved in either study. Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 30 Mar. 2022 There are chapters on the development of genetics, the eugenics movement, the heritability of family traits and the field of epigenetics, which studies whether our genes can be altered by experience (short answer: it’s complicated). Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2022 The improvements are a function of epigenetics, the process through which our lifestyles and environments—and those of our ancestors—permanently alter how our cells interpret DNA. The Editors, Outside Online, 15 Dec. 2014 The company thinks its technology has applications across neuroscience, epigenetics, virology, immuno-oncology, drug development, diagnostics and vaccine development. Mike Freeman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2022 See More 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
John Cloud, TimeEpigenetics is the study of the chemical groups that stick to DNA and act as switches to turn genes on and off. New Scientist
New Scientist