epigenetics

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English

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WOTD – 24 January 2006

Etymology

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Blend of epigenesis +‎ genetics; coined by C. H. Waddington in 1942.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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epigenetics (uncountable)

  1. (genetics) The study of the processes involved in the genetic development of an organism, especially the activation and deactivation of genes.
    • 2010 November 6, “Sins of the Fathers”, in New Scientist:
      Epigenetics deals with the regulation of genetic activity within a cell - which genes are switched on or off, and when it happens.
    • 2023, Robert M. Sapolsky, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, New York: Penguin, →ISBN:
      The nuts and bolts of how this happens revolves around the massively trendy field of “epigenetics,” revealing how early life experience causes long-lasting changes in gene expression in particular brain regions.
  2. (genetics) The study of heritable changes caused by the activation and deactivation of genes without any change in DNA sequence.

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