(noun, /eh-PEE-jee-nohm/)
by Hazel Milla
What does it mean?
The epigenome is all of the chemical modifications to a genome. Examples of chemical modification include attaching molecules such as methyl or acetyl groups to the DNA sequence. These modifications do not change the DNA sequence but instead influence its accessibility by altering the openness of the DNA molecule’s structure. This can allow or block interactions with other proteins, affecting how genes are expressed, or how they are translated into proteins that can perform functions in the cell.
The epigenome consists of chemical modifications, such as methyl or acetyl groups, to a genome. Image created by author using BioRender.com.
How do I use it in a sentence?
“In the scientific journal Cell, Florian Wimmers and colleagues published a paper detailing how they mapped the change in the human epigenome before and after vaccination against influenza.”
Etymology
See the definition of “genome” for the etymology of the word “genome.” The Greek word “epi” means “above,” so “epigenome” literally means “above the genome.”
Related terms
Genome
Epigenetic
Fields of study in which this word is commonly used
Genetics and epigenetics
