epigenetic

adjective

epi·​ge·​net·​ic ˌe-pə-jə-ˈne-tik 

1

a

: of, relating to, or produced by the chain of developmental processes in epigenesis that lead from genotype to phenotype after the initial action of the genes

b

: relating to, being, or involving changes in gene function that do not involve changes in DNA sequence

epigenetic inheritance

2

of a deposit or structure : formed after the laying down of the enclosing rock

epigenetically

ˌe-pə-jə-ˈne-ti-k(-ə)lē 

adverb

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Analyses of the mice’s muscles, kidneys, and retinas suggest the cocktail reversed some of the epigenetic changes induced by the DNA breaks. —Bycatherine Offord, science.org, 13 Jan. 2023

By speeding the breakage, scientists were able to induce epigenetic changes that caused the mice to quickly lose their youthful vigor, and look and act older. —Robert Weisman, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Jan. 2023

Though both Kellys were expected to experience epigenetic changes over the course of the study, the sheer number of transformations still took researchers by surprise. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2019

The addition of methyl tags to DNA bases, called methylation, is an epigenetic change that allows some genes to be transcribed while others are not. —Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2011

Much of the research has focused on trauma, and whether epigenetic changes can be passed down from one generation to the next. —Barbara Graham, Good Housekeeping, 9 Dec. 2022

Yehuda’s team created an early test that could detect such biological clues—hormonal and epigenetic changes in DNA—in blood cells. —Sarah Elizabeth Richards, Men's Health, 10 Nov. 2022

Additionally, a variety of epigenetic changes (mediated, for example, by DNA methylation, histone modification and transfer of non-coding RNAs) also appear to increase with advancing maternal age (ref & ref). —Grrlscientist, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2022

The blood tests also found epigenetic changes inside the monocyte immune cells after the long period of sleep deprivation. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 27 Sep. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

epi- + genetic, after epigenesis

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

epigenetic

adjective

epi·​ge·​net·​ic -jə-ˈnet-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or produced by epigenesis

the epigenetic nature of vertebrate development

2

: relating to, being, or involving a modification in gene expression that is independent of the DNA sequence of a gene

epigenetic carcinogenesis

epigenetic inheritance

Methylation is one of many epigenetic signals—chemical changes to DNA and its associated proteins—that modify gene activity without altering the genetic information itself.

—Tina Hesman Saey, Science News

epigenetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb