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

Working out which genes are switched on or not involves looking at the epigenome, or the chemical "methyl" tags attached to genes.

—New Scientist

Examples of epigenome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sinclair theorizes that epigenomes may provide an in for scientists to intervene in the aging process, due to their connections with bodily functions. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025

Reina-Campos is wondering whether T cells could use their own epigenome as a metabolic depot to fuel their functions. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025

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

Word History

Etymology

epi- + genome, after epigenetic

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for epigenome

• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb
• centrosome
• chromosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• honeycomb
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome