the epi in epigenetics

Published
by
gillt
on July 16, 2008
in Definitions and Science
.

After much debate, this is what a few in my lab came up with as a working definition for epigenetics.

From a molecular standpoint, epigenetics consists of modifications to DNA, other than mutations, or chromatin which changes gene expression.

2 Responses to “the epi in epigenetics”

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  1. 1 aprasad
    July 16, 2008 at 5:48 pm

    I think that definition is a little confusing because its meaning relies on the placement of the commas.

    Maybe something like “Epigenetics is the study of modifications of DNA or chromatin that don’t change the DNA sequence, yet have an effect on gene expression that is persistent through replication (either cellular or organismic).”

    What do you think?

  2. 2 gillt
    July 17, 2008 at 2:12 pm

    I was trying to say, something like non-Mendellian or non-classical genetics modifications. And I agree, I think adding “persistent through replication,” or hereditary, is crucial.

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