Biologycalendar_todayLast updated: Apr 2026
What is Epigenetics?
/ˌepɪdʒɪˈnetɪks/
The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence itself — meaning your environment, behaviour, and experiences can switch genes on or off.
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Everyday Example
Identical twins share 100% of their DNA but can develop very different diseases and personalities. Epigenetics explains why — their genes are the same, but which genes are expressed differs based on their different life experiences.
publicReal-World Application
“Research shows that children of Holocaust survivors have epigenetic markers associated with stress responses different from those whose parents did not experience trauma — suggesting trauma can be transmitted biologically.”
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Did you know?
Conrad Waddington coined the term epigenetics in 1942. The field transformed biology by proving that nature and nurture interact at the molecular level — genes are not destiny.
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Key Insight
Your DNA is not a fixed blueprint — it's more like a piano. Epigenetics determines which keys are pressed. Diet, stress, sleep, and exercise all influence which of your genes are playing at any given time.
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