Jim Penman's research company 'Epigenes' collaborates with La Trobe University
Announcement posted by Invigorate PR 08 Apr 2025
Epigenes Australia has signed a lease at La Trobe University's state-of-the-art Bio Innovation Hub facility at its Melbourne campus in Bundoora. As a tenant in the Bio Innovation Hub, Epigenes will work with La Trobe researchers and will have access to the University's capabilities and platforms.
The $8 million Hub, funded by the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund (VHESIF), supports the development of world-leading biotechnology and agri-technology businesses. It includes PC2 wet laboratories and world-class equipment to help businesses commercialise their research discoveries. The Bio Innovation Hub sits within La Trobe's growing research and innovation precinct as part of La Trobe University City which is transforming Melbourne's north.
To celebrate the collaboration, a special event will be held on Thursday, April 10, bringing together researchers, industry leaders and senior university stakeholders. Speakers will include Dr Jim Penman, founder and funder of Epigenes Australia, also well known for his franchise brand, Jim's Group, and Professor Chris Pakes, La Trobe University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Industry Engagement.
"Through our location at La Trobe's state-of-the-art Bio Innovation Hub, we will be conducting research that we hope will uncover how factors like calorie restriction, social connection and stress influence health at both the individual and societal level," Dr Penman said.
Founded by Dr Penman with a strong philanthropic mission, Epigenes Australia is a private research organisation dedicated to exploring how environmental influences shape biology, particularly in the realms of behavioural neuroscience, psychology, genomics, biochemistry and ecology.
A central focus of the research is on understanding how calorie restriction, social interaction and stress can drive biological change across species and what that reveals about human uniqueness and resilience.
Epigenes Australia's research team is currently working with La Trobe researchers on a number of projects including one investigating multigenerational inheritance of the benefits of food restriction.
Dr Penman personally funds the organisation and strongly believes that it is important for people who are able to give back, to do things in society that will deliver profound good.
"We're not just looking at what goes wrong, we're deeply interested in what makes some people more adaptable, more altruistic or more socially engaged than others," Dr Penman said.
"These insights could change the way we approach mental health and help shape better outcomes for society as a whole."
The Bio Innovation Hub location supports access to La Trobe's world-class research platforms, including Genomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics and the Animal Research and Teaching Facility, enabling researchers to scale and accelerate their work.
Epigenes Australia is entirely privately funded by Dr Penman, who contributes approximately $3 million annually to sustain and grow its research efforts.
"This is a personal mission for me," he added.
"I believe targeted, curiosity-driven research has the power to change lives and I want to help make that happen."
La Trobe University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Industry Engagement, Professor Chris Pakes, said the University was pleased to welcome Epigenes Australia as a new partner at its Melbourne Campus in Bundoora.
"The co-location demonstrates a shared commitment to drive bio innovation on a local and national scale. As part of La Trobe University's transformative University City, our vibrant Precinct not only connects partners with cutting-edge facilities but also supports them on their innovation journey, fostering a strong collaborative partnership and pioneering growth in the biotechnology sector," Professor Pakes said.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, 10 April 2025
Time: 10.30am - 11.30am
Location: Digital Innovation Hub, Level 2, Jenny Graves Building, La Trobe University
About Epigenes Australia
Epigenes Australia is a privately funded research organisation founded by Dr Jim Penman, exploring how environmental factors especially calorie restriction, stress, and social interaction affect biology and behaviour. Its mission is to uncover insights that can improve mental health, shape social development and build stronger, healthier communities.