1. The complete set of chemical modifications and regulatory elements that control gene expression in a cell without changing the underlying DNA sequence.
Usage: scientific; biology

Examples

• The epigenome acts like a control panel that switches genes on and off.
• Environmental factors such as diet and stress can alter the epigenome.
• Scientists study the epigenome to understand how identical twins can develop different traits.
• Epigenome changes can be inherited by offspring, affecting their health.
• Cancer cells often have abnormal epigenome patterns that differ from healthy cells.
• The Human Epigenome Project aims to map all epigenetic modifications across the genome.