epigenetic

epi·ge·net·ic | \ ˌe-pə-jə-ˈne-tik

Definition of epigenetic

1a : 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

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Examples of epigenetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There were also noticeable epigenetic changes, which is when environmental factors tweak the genome just a bit. — John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, "This Is Your Brain on Space," 23 Oct. 2019 The researchers collected a significant amount of brain imaging data in addition to genetic and epigenetic data. — Rod Mccullom, Quartz, "How bullying may shape adolescent brains," 7 Oct. 2019 Using these types of epigenetic techniques to predict the traits of living humans is still difficult, so applying it to the ancient DNA of an extinct hominin species has its limitations. — Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian, "Scientists Recreate the Face of a Denisovan Using DNA," 20 Sep. 2019 But experiments in many organisms suggested epigenetic inheritance was real. — Andrew Curry, Science | AAAS, "Parents’ emotional trauma may change their children’s biology. Studies in mice show how," 18 July 2019 How can these epigenetic changes affect the traits that natural selection can act on — and therefore the future course of evolution? — Quanta Magazine, "Finding the Actions That Alter Evolution," 5 Jan. 2017 Still, mouse data in hand, Mansuy has been looking for similar epigenetic changes in people. — Andrew Curry, Science | AAAS, "Parents’ emotional trauma may change their children’s biology. Studies in mice show how," 18 July 2019 Research has found that epigenetic marks decorate mRNAs like Christmas lights on a fence. — Ken Garber, Science | AAAS, "Hidden layer of gene control influences everything from cancer to memory," 1 July 2019 The list ranges from tobacco smoke to pesticides, flame retardants to obesity, all of which can have epigenetic effects. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "THC Could Affect Men's Sperm, New Study Says," 20 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'epigenetic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for epigenetic

The first known use of epigenetic was in 1883

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More Definitions for epigenetic

epigenetic

adjective

epi·ge·net·ic | \ -jə-ˈnet-ik

Medical Definition of epigenetic

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, 14 Feb. 2009