epigenome

noun — 2 senses

epigenome

noun

/ˌɛpɪˈd͡ʒiːnoʊm/

Etymology From epi- + genome.

1

Biology, Genetics, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences The total epigenetic state of a cell.

  • It is now possible to define whole epigenomes, representing the totality of epigenetic marks in a given cell type. Epigenetic processes are essential for packaging and interpreting the genome, are fundamental to normal development and are increasingly recognized as being involved in human disease.2008 August 7, The American Association for Cancer Research Human Epigenome Task Force; European Union, Network of Excellence, Scientific Advisory Board, “Moving AHEAD with an international human epigenome project”, in Nature, volume 454, →DOI, page 711:
2

Biology, Genetics, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences A chemical responsible for the activation of a particular gene.

Related terms
epigenetics, epigenomic

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.