phenocopy

[ fee-nuh-kop-ee ]

noun

, Genetics.

, plural phe·no·cop·ies.

1. the observed result of an environmentally induced, nongenetic alteration of a phenotype to a form that resembles the expression of a known genetic mutation.

phenocopy

/ ˈfiːnəʊˌkɒpɪ /

noun

1. a noninheritable change in an organism that is caused by environmental influence during development but resembles the effects of a genetic mutation

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenocopy¹

< German Phänokopie (1935); phenotype, copy

Example Sentences

During chronic Dox treatment, iWnt mice and mammary tumours phenocopy their cWnt counterparts, but iWnt tumours regress following Dox withdrawal owing to abrogation of transgene expression.

From Nature

These mice accumulate progerin, present histological and transcriptional alterations characteristic of progeroid models, and phenocopy the main clinical manifestations of human HGPS, including shortened life span and bone and cardiovascular aberrations.

From Science Magazine