About Us | Epigenome Technologies

Founded and Inspired by Excellence

Epigenome Technologies emerged in 2022 as a spin-out from the pioneering Bing Ren lab at UC San Diego. Recognizing the transformative power of single-cell epigenetic profiling, our founders—Professor Bing Ren (UCSD epigenetics expert and former Harvard postdoc) and Pei Lin (with leadership experience at Illumina and the Salk Institute)—joined forces to bring cutting-edge single-cell and spatial DNA-binding solutions to the broader research community.

Mission & Vision

Our core mission is to illuminate the regulatory code of gene expression in individual cells, ultimately fueling breakthroughs in developmental disorders, progressive diseases like cancer, and the biology of aging. Over the next few years, we aim to solidify our position as the leading provider of high-resolution epigenetic services and kits, empowering researchers worldwide to make discoveries that drive better treatments and diagnostics.

Team & Culture

Our team is anchored by deep scientific expertise, rigorous R&D, and a shared conviction that understanding drives innovation. We believe that when you truly grasp the molecular underpinnings of gene regulation, problem-solving and creative solutions naturally follow. This mindset underlies every step of our development process, from refining new single-cell assays to advising partners on customized protocols.

Professor Bing Ren (Co-Founder) Bing Ren is a Chinese-American molecular biologist whose groundbreaking work in gene regulation, chromatin architecture, and epigenomics has advanced our understanding of the human genome. Dr. Ren earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Harvard University in 1998 and completed postdoctoral training at the Whitehead Institute before joining the UC San Diego faculty in 2001. As Director of the UCSD Center for Epigenomics he has pioneered single-cell multiomics techniques and elucidated epigenetic mechanisms underlying mammalian development and human diseases. Dr. Ren has received numerous accolades, including the Chen Award, the Ray Wu Award, and an elected fellowship with the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Pei Lin is the co-founder and CEO of Epigenome Technologies, with over 20 years of experience translating cutting-edge genomics into real-world impact. Her career spans leadership roles at Illumina, the Joint Genome Institute, and AstraZeneca, where she helped bring sequencing platforms, high-throughput assays, and FDA-cleared diagnostics to market. At Epigenome, she has built the company from concept to commercialization—assembling a world-class team, securing federal and commercial partnerships, and driving the development of the first scalable platform for single-cell epigenomic profiling. Pei brings rare depth across R&D, clinical validation, and operational execution, making her a key force in advancing the future of translational genomics.

Christopher Hartl, Ph.D. is Chief Technology Officer at Epigenome Technologies, where he leads the development of scalable single-cell and spatial epigenomics products. He brings over 15 years of experience building high-performance computational tools and bioinformatics platforms across both academic genomics and commercial biotech. At the Broad Institute, he helped develop foundational methods in variant detection and large-scale genomic analysis. At Rancho Biosciences, he led product development for multi-omic integration, clinical data modeling, and AI-powered target discovery. His work spans algorithm design, machine learning, and cloud-scale analytics, with a focus on turning complex biological data into usable insight. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Bioinformatics from UCLA, where his research combined epigenetics, transcriptomics, and systems biology to study gene regulation in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Gary Shiels, Ph.D., Chief Commercial Officer at Epigenome Technologies, brings over two decades of experience growing life sciences businesses through global marketing, strategic partnerships, and customer-centric execution. He has led commercial teams at leading companies including Thermo Fisher Scientific, Promega, and Active Motif, where he played a key role in launching and scaling genomics and epigenetics technologies across North America and Europe. Gary has a proven track record of building high-impact go-to-market strategies, cultivating strong customer relationships, and fostering cross-functional collaborations that connect innovation to market need. At Epigenome Technologies, he leads commercial strategy and execution, driving adoption of the company’s single-cell and spatial epigenomics solutions across research, pharma, and translational markets.

Milestones & Achievements

$6M in SBIR Grants: Sustaining robust R&D to enhance and expand our epigenetic toolkits.
BRAIN Initiative: Our flagship technology, Paired-Tag, is actively utilized as part of this prestigious research program.
High-Profile Publications: Our techniques feature in leading journals, including Nature Methods and Nature Communications, showcasing breakthroughs in single-cell epigenomics and metabolic stress response.

Technology & Differentiation

First-Mover Advantage: We are among the very first to offer single-cell epigenetic profiling at scale, coupled with a unique multi-omic spatial solution.
Broad Platform Compatibility: Seamless integration with numerous single-cell systems grants researchers the flexibility to choose a workflow that aligns with their lab infrastructure.
Impact on Research & Medicine: By mapping regulatory mechanisms that underlie aberrant gene expression, we open new avenues for identifying therapeutic targets and delivering actionable clinical insights.

Looking Ahead

Our comprehensive approach to gene regulation sets us apart in a competitive biotech landscape. We’ve already proven that single-cell and spatial epigenetic profiling can unlock novel diagnostic markers and inform targeted therapies for conditions previously deemed intractable. As we continue to scale, we welcome conversations with potential acquirers and strategic partners who share our vision for revolutionizing the future of genomic research.

Connect with Us

Discover how Epigenome Technologies can supercharge your research or strategic portfolio. Whether you’re seeking to accelerate product development, deepen disease insights, or explore next-generation diagnostics, our team is here to collaborate and innovate.

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