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

Examples of epigenetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Smoking, the study found, seemed to have long-term epigenetic effects on the immune system’s two major forms of protection: the innate response and the adaptive response. —Jen Christensen, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024

Using epigenetic markers, many biological age tests measure the impact of lifestyle, environment, and behavior on aging. —Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 30 Jan. 2024

Nicotinamide supplementation induces detrimental metabolic and epigenetic changes in developing rats. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Once epigenetic changes have occurred, some can be passed down to the next generation. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 28 Mar. 2024

The question is, what’s the purpose of these epigenetic modifications? —Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2024

Through epigenetic inheritance, altered genes, cultivated from going through traumatic experiences—typically during early childhood—are passed from parent to child. —Jazmin Towe, Parents, 23 Feb. 2024

An epigenetic drug, the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) inhibitor, is incorporated into the hydrogel to reduce inflammatory factors. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

The data suggest that the cytokine secretion in the innate immune response rapidly returns to the level of nonsmokers after a person quits smoking but that the effects on the adaptive response appear to endure for years or decades through a process called epigenetic memory. —Alejandra Manjarrez, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2024

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