ScienceJuly 30, 2026

epigenomics

EP-ih-jee-NOH-miks

Definition

The branch of science that studies the epigenome, specifically the chemical modifications to DNA and its associated proteins that regulate gene activity without changing the underlying genetic sequence.

Etymology

The word is a portmanteau of 'epigenetics'—derived from the Greek 'epi-' (meaning 'over' or 'outside') and 'genetics'—combined with the suffix '-omics', which denotes the study of a specific set of biological molecules on a large scale.

In the news

In this article, epigenomics is highlighted as a technology that reveals gene regulation mechanisms, helping researchers understand disease processes beyond just the DNA code.

Rare Disease Research Genomics Services Market to Reach USD

Read the full article ↗

openPR.com

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.