ScienceAugust 29, 2026

epigenome

eh-pih-JEE-nohm

Definition

The complete set of chemical modifications and regulators that instruct DNA on how to function without changing the underlying genetic sequence.

Etymology

The word is a portmanteau of the Greek prefix 'epi-' (meaning 'over' or 'above') and 'genome', referring to the layers of regulatory information that exist 'above' the standard genetic code.

In the news

In this article, the researchers are investigating the paternal epigenome to understand how non-genetic factors carried by sperm influence embryo development and pregnancy loss.

Paternal sperm epigenetics may help explain early pregnancy loss

Read the full article ↗

News-Medical

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