Epigenome editing in 2026: overview
Epigenome editing uses programmable DNA-targeting tools to alter gene-regulating marks or chromatin states while leaving the underlying DNA sequence unchanged. By directing DNA methylation or histone-modifying machinery to chosen loci, researchers can repress or activate genes without cutting DNA. The approach offers reversible, targeted control and may avoid some risks associated with permanent sequence changes. Its practical hurdles include efficient delivery, off-target effects, and achieving effects that persist for the required period without unwanted changes elsewhere.
Recent work is pushing beyond nuclear gene control. A September 2026 study from Zhejiang University and collaborators described a TALE-directed methyltransferase for mitochondrial DNA methylation, while Arc Institute and collaborators reported an all-RNA approach for programming primary human T cells. In another September 2026 study, Epigenic Therapeutics and the Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS reported optimized regulators for durable silencing, including PCSK9 in nonhuman primates. News coverage of epigenetic editing for hepatitis B points to a growing therapeutic focus on silencing disease targets without DNA cuts. Together, these directions put delivery, durability and precise control at the center of development.
- 1Control without cuts: Therapeutic interest is shifting toward programmable gene repression and activation that changes epigenetic state rather than DNA sequence.
- 2Beyond nuclear targets: TALE-directed mitochondrial DNA methylation extends epigenome editing into a cellular compartment that conventional CRISPR targeting does not readily reach.
- 3Durability meets delivery: Optimized silencing regulators and all-RNA programming address a central challenge: making targeted effects last while delivering editors safely to the right cells.
Top organizations working on epigenome editing
Ranked by Linknovate activity score · last 24 monthsThe activity score adds up the relevance of every patent, publication, grant and news item linking an organization to epigenome editing. Showing 7 of 1,801 organizations.
| # | Organization | Approach | Signals (24 mo) | Momentum | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
University of California
Research · United States |
Programmable DNA-targeting platforms | PUB 85 · NEWS 34 | -46% | Researchers at the University of California have studied CRISPR-based epigenome editors, including transient delivery of editor ribonucleoproteins and programmable gene silencing in human cells. |
| 2 | 
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS
Research · China |
Histone modification editing | PUB 74 · NEWS 32 | +86% | Recently, researchers affiliated with the academy reported optimized epigenetic regulators for durable gene silencing, including an application to PCSK9 in nonhuman primates. Its work also includes targeted histone citrullination using a CRISPR/dCas9 system. |
| 3 | 
U.S. National Institutes of Health
Research · United Kingdom |
Histone modification editing | PUB 17 · NEWS 158 | -52% | NIH-affiliated research includes a CRISPR/dCas9 system for targeted histone citrullination and transcriptional regulation, alongside work on chromatin and gene regulation. |
| 4 | 
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Research · China |
DNA methylation editing | PUB 58 · NEWS 37 | +21% | Recently, researchers affiliated with the academy reported CRISPR/dCas9-Tet1-mediated epigenetic editing of the marine medaka fgf2 gene, extending targeted DNA demethylation work to a fish species. |
| 5 | 
Harvard University
Research · United States |
DNA methylation editing | PAT 11 · PUB 51 NEWS 77 |
-17% | Harvard researchers have used epigenome editing in hematopoietic stem cells to pursue sustained, reversible thrombosis prevention and are investigating how targeted DNA demethylation can activate regulatory elements. |
| 6 | 
Stanford University
Research · United States |
Programmable DNA-targeting platforms | PUB 55 · NEWS 49 | +8% | Stanford researchers study CRISPR tools for rewriting epigenetic marks and their potential therapeutic uses, including the challenges of precision, durability and delivery. |
| 7 | 
Sun Yat Sen University
Research · China |
DNA methylation editing | PUB 63 | +74% | Researchers affiliated with Sun Yat-sen University contributed to CRISPRepi, a multi-omic atlas for CRISPR-based epigenome editing, and have studied targeted DNA-methylation regulation in cancer. |
| 8 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 9 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 10 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
Startups to watch and leading research centers
Startups to watch 24 total
- CMChroma MedicineUnited StatesChroma Medicine develops epigenetic editors for programmable gene activation and silencing; its patent portfolio includes multiplex editing designed to regulate multiple genes in the same cell.
Tune TherapeuticsTune Therapeutics is developing its TEMPO platform to tune gene networks through epigenomic control, aiming to regulate disease-associated expression without permanently changing DNA sequence.
Omega Therapeutics Inc.United StatesOmega Therapeutics is developing programmable mRNA therapeutics to modulate epigenomic control of single genes and gene networks, including multiplexed regulation.- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
Leading research institutions 1,593 total
- University of CaliforniaUnited StatesResearchers at the University of California have studied CRISPR-based epigenome editors, including transient delivery of editor ribonucleoproteins and programmable gene silencing in human cells.
- Chinese Academy of Sciences CASChinaRecently, researchers affiliated with the academy reported optimized epigenetic regulators for durable gene silencing, including an application to PCSK9 in nonhuman primates. Its work also includes targeted histone citrullination using a CRISPR/dCas9 system.
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesChinaRecently, researchers affiliated with the academy reported CRISPR/dCas9-Tet1-mediated epigenetic editing of the marine medaka fgf2 gene, extending targeted DNA demethylation work to a fish species.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
Where epigenome editing innovation happens
Share of documents with at least one organization from each country.
Open the interactive map with all 1,801 organizationsMain technical approaches
Last 24 months| Approach | What it is | Documents | Leading organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNA methylation editing | Adds or removes methylation at selected DNA regions to alter gene activity; effects can be durable, but depend on context and may be difficult to control across cells. | 1,649 |
Nanjing Agricultural University, Horticulture Research, Clarivate Analytics |
| Histone modification editing | Targets chemical marks on histones to change chromatin accessibility; it can tune gene activity but may produce context-dependent or transient effects. | 594 |
Natural Science Foundation of China, Nanjing Agricultural University, Horticulture Research |
| Chromatin remodeling | Changes local chromatin structure to influence gene access; it can affect regulatory regions broadly, making precise control a key trade-off. | 821 |
Nanjing Agricultural University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Horticulture Research |
| Programmable DNA-targeting platforms | Uses programmable DNA-binding systems to position regulatory effectors at chosen loci; flexibility is high, but delivery and off-target binding remain concerns. | 1,028 |
University of California, Epigenic Therapeutics, Duke University |
| Targeted transcriptional control | Directly modulates gene expression through targeted activators or repressors; it offers flexible control, though sustained effects and delivery can be challenging. | 271 |
University of California, Gladstone Institutes, Arc Institute |
Emerging trends
Last 12 months vs previous 36 monthsTerms whose frequency in the last 12 months grew the most compared with the previous 36 months.
Funding and investment
Recent funding rounds
Reported grants total $191.6 million across 191 grants since 2020. Epigenic Therapeutics raised a $60 million Series B in September 2025.
Patent landscape
Top patent holders · last 24 monthsRecent developments
Latest news, duplicates removed- Oct 2026An experimental therapy kept the virus at bay for at least six months. The approach could target other stubborn viruses too. Image Credit Colorized models of hepatitis B viruses / NIAID on Unsplash Share Viruses are…Singularity Hub
- Sep 2026In a recent study, researchers from the University of Western Australia and collaborating institutions proposed the use of precision molecular targeting and delivery strategies based on CRISPR/dCas9 systems adapted for…BioWorld
- Aug 2026Member-only story Epigenetic Editors: CRISPR’s Geneless Gene Control Revolution! This post originally appeared in Plenty of Room. Subscribe to stay up-to-date with science, one paper at a time! I help biotech and deep…Science on Medium
- Jul 2026Epigenetic modifications to DNA (yellow), such as those catalysed by DNA methyltransferase enzymes (blue, centre) control gene expression.Credit: Juan Gaertner/Science Photo Library Marianne Rots first started talking…Nature - Issue - nature.com science feeds
- Month 20XXHidden developmentAvailable to registered users with alerts enabled.
Frequently asked questions about epigenome editing
What companies are working on epigenome editing?
Companies and startups include nChroma Bio, Inc., Chroma Medicine, Tune Therapeutics, Omega Therapeutics Inc., and Epigenic Therapeutics. Their disclosed approaches include programmable activation or silencing, gene-network control and epigenetic medicines that aim to change expression without altering DNA sequence. Patent activity is also associated with The Broad Institute Inc. and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Which epigenome editing startups are active in 2026?
Chroma Medicine, Tune Therapeutics and Omega Therapeutics Inc. are among the startups developing epigenome editing. Chroma Medicine works on programmable gene activation and silencing, including multiplex editing; Tune Therapeutics is developing its TEMPO platform to tune gene networks; Omega Therapeutics is pursuing programmable mRNA therapeutics for epigenomic control. The dataset lists 24 startups in this field.
Which universities and research centers lead epigenome editing research?
The University of California, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences are prominent research organizations in the dataset. Their work includes CRISPR-based editing, optimized regulators for gene silencing, and targeted DNA demethylation. Other active groups include Harvard University, Stanford University, Duke University and Zhejiang University, whose reported work spans cell therapy, therapeutic applications and mitochondrial epigenetic editing.
How much funding has epigenome editing received?
Reported grants total $191.6 million across 191 grants since 2020. A separate funding record shows Epigenic Therapeutics raised a $60 million Series B in September 2025. These figures cover different funding categories: the grant total is an aggregate, while the Series B is a named company financing event.
Who holds the most epigenome editing patents?
The Broad Institute Inc. leads the listed patent holders with 23 patents, followed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology with 19 and nChroma Bio, Inc. with 16. Epigenic Therapeutics holds 14, while Chroma Medicine holds 12. These figures identify organizations with patent records associated with epigenome editing, rather than indicating the scope or strength of any individual claim.
Is epigenome editing patent activity growing?
Patent activity declined 66.3% in the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months, with 242 patents recorded in the 24-month window. Publication activity moved in the opposite direction: publications last year grew 44.3%. The difference suggests a field where research output is expanding even as recent patent filings have slowed.
What are the latest developments in epigenome editing?
Recent developments include a TALE-directed methyltransferase for mitochondrial DNA methylation reported by Zhejiang University and collaborators in September 2026, and an all-RNA platform for programming primary human T cells reported by Arc Institute and collaborators that month. Epigenic Therapeutics and the Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS also reported optimized regulators for durable silencing, including an application to PCSK9 in nonhuman primates.
What are the main approaches in epigenome editing?
The main approaches are DNA methylation editing, histone modification editing, chromatin remodeling, programmable DNA-targeting platforms and targeted transcriptional control. Methylation and histone approaches alter specific chemical marks; chromatin remodeling changes local accessibility. DNA-targeting platforms position effectors at selected sites, while transcriptional control focuses on activation or repression. Each offers different control over gene expression, with delivery, specificity and durability as recurring trade-offs.
Which countries lead epigenome editing?
The United States leads with 54.7% of the recorded documents, followed by China at 23.8% and the United Kingdom at 18.8%. Germany accounts for 13.2% and Japan for 9.9%. These country shares reflect the recorded research and innovation activity and show a field with substantial contributions from several regions.
What are the applications of epigenome editing?
The main recorded applications include oncology, cell and gene therapies, neurological disorders, crop improvement and infectious diseases. Oncology has 1,200 documents, while cell and gene therapies have 1,079. Crop improvement activity grew 55.7% in the latest 12-month comparison, and recent work includes plant stress resilience and crop traits as well as therapeutic gene silencing.