HealthSeptember 1, 2026

epigenetic

eh-pih-jeh-NEH-tik

Definition

Relating to the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself, often used in longevity medicine to estimate biological age.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek prefix 'epi-' (meaning 'over' or 'in addition to') and the word 'genetic', it was coined by biologist Conrad Waddington in the 1940s to describe the study of how genes interact with their environment to produce a phenotype.

In the news

The article lists 'epigenetic clocks' among the high-tech tools now being used in clinics, highlighting how these measurements are becoming a key part of the modern longevity industry.

Who decides what counts as longevity medicine?

Read the full article ↗

Longevity.Technology

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