Jason Buenrostro

Jason Buenrostro is the Alvin and Esta Star Associate Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University and an Associate Member of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. He leads the Buenrostro Lab, which is dedicated to advancing our knowledge of gene regulation and the downstream consequences on cell fate decisions through innovative technology development.

Dr. Buenrostro earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in General Engineering and Biology from Santa Clara University. He completed his doctoral work with William Greenleaf and Howard Chang at Stanford University in the Department of Genetics, where he began developing groundbreaking genomic technologies.

Dr. Buenrostro is internationally renowned for developing the ATAC-seq and single-cell ATAC-seq methods, which have revolutionized epigenomics by enabling measurements of chromatin regulation at single-cell resolution. His research focuses on understanding how epigenomes drive cells to different fates and how we may engineer epigenomes to acquire new cellular functions. The lab develops new technologies employing approaches across molecular biology, microscopy and bioinformatics, applying these tools to study stem cells in normal, ageing and cancer tissues to discover chromatin regulators and their contribution to disease. His work spans multiple areas including technology development, recording epigenetic history, predicting future cell states, and engineering cellular identities.

Analysis of Dr. Buenrostro's extensive publication record reveals a consistent focus on chromatin accessibility, single-cell multi-omics, epigenetic memory, and the development of cutting-edge genomic technologies. His research bridges multiple disciplines including epigenomics, stem cell biology, cancer research, immunology, and regenerative medicine, with particular emphasis on understanding how chromatin structure influences gene regulation, cellular identity, and disease mechanisms.

The Buenrostro Lab maintains a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, working closely with researchers across Harvard, MIT, and the Broad Institute. The lab actively recruits talented individuals at all career stages, with a particular interest in scientists with backgrounds in microscopy, physics, and engineering, and is committed to fostering diversity in science.