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Definition of Gene silencing
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Gene silencing: A mechanism by which cells shut down large sections of chromosomal DNA. Gene silencing is done by incorporating the DNA to be silenced into a form of DNA called heterochromatin that is already silent.
The process of gene silencing is important for the differentiation of many different types of cells.