epigenetic inheritance

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July 20, 2026

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Epigenetic inheritance refers to the passing of epigenetic modifications from parents to offspring. These modifications are chemical changes to DNA or its associated proteins, which influence how genes are expressed without altering the underlying DNA sequence.1

Unlike typical genetic inheritance, epigenetic information is not encoded in the DNA sequence itself. The exact mechanisms by which epigenetic information is inherited are still being researched, as many epigenetic modifications are reset during cell reproduction, preventing their transmission.1

Epigenetics plays a crucial role in cell differentiation, allowing cells with identical DNA to develop into specialized types like liver or brain cells. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for comprehending normal biological processes and developing new interventions for diseases.1

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epigenetics
Epigenetic inheritance
It is clear that at least some epigenetic modifications are heritable, passed from parents to offspring in a phenomenon that is generally referred to as epigenetic inheritance, or passed down through multiple generations via transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. The mechanism by which epigenetic information…
Read More
It is clear that at least some epigenetic modifications are heritable, passed from parents to offspring in a phenomenon that is generally referred to as epigenetic inheritance, or passed down through multiple generations via transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. The mechanism by which epigenetic information…
Read More