epigenome
noun
epi·ge·nome
ˌe-pə-ˈjē-ˌnōm 
: the complement of chemical compounds that modify the expression and function of the genome
Access to the genes is controlled by the epigenome, a layer of millions of proteins and other marks that attach themselves to the genome.—
Nicholas Wade
Nicholas WadeWorking out which genes are switched on or not involves looking at the epigenome, or the chemical "methyl" tags attached to genes.—New Scientist
New ScientistExamples of epigenome in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Together the methyl groups and coiling proteins—what scientists call the epigenome—are essential for the brain to become a brain in the first place.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023
The impact of various environmental factors—like climate, nutrition, and toxicants—on the epigenome has been shown to extend tens of hundreds of generations in fruit flies and hundreds of generations in plants.
—Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 2 Feb. 2024
Further caveats: Housing conditions may impact other aspects of health aside from the epigenome.
—Byerin Prater, Fortune Well, 10 Oct. 2023
The team initially studied how a somatic cell epigenome transformed during the reprogramming process and figured out the exact moment aberrations emerged.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2023
Hitting the right spot on the epigenome essentially closed off the APOE4 gene, limiting its expression in mice, the researchers reported.
—Andrew Joseph, STAT, 16 July 2023
The epigenome, influenced by lifestyle choices, presents a reversible level of genetic fine-tuning.
—Salvatore Viscomi, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023
Kellis led the data analysis team, which applied machine-learning algorithms to decode the language of the epigenome.
—Dan Ferber, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2015
Sinclair therefore focused on another part of the genome, called the epigenome.
—Alice Park, Time, 12 Jan. 2023
Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023
The impact of various environmental factors—like climate, nutrition, and toxicants—on the epigenome has been shown to extend tens of hundreds of generations in fruit flies and hundreds of generations in plants.
—Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 2 Feb. 2024
Further caveats: Housing conditions may impact other aspects of health aside from the epigenome.
—Byerin Prater, Fortune Well, 10 Oct. 2023
The team initially studied how a somatic cell epigenome transformed during the reprogramming process and figured out the exact moment aberrations emerged.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2023
Hitting the right spot on the epigenome essentially closed off the APOE4 gene, limiting its expression in mice, the researchers reported.
—Andrew Joseph, STAT, 16 July 2023
The epigenome, influenced by lifestyle choices, presents a reversible level of genetic fine-tuning.
—Salvatore Viscomi, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023
Kellis led the data analysis team, which applied machine-learning algorithms to decode the language of the epigenome.
—Dan Ferber, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2015
Sinclair therefore focused on another part of the genome, called the epigenome.
—Alice Park, Time, 12 Jan. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'epigenome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Epigenome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epigenome. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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