Albert Cheng, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Engineers and applies artificial DNA and RNA binding proteins to study the genome, epigenome, and transcriptome.

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Contact me at: 860-837-2016

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About Albert Cheng, Ph.D.

Albert Cheng obtained his BSc in Biochemistry and MPhil in Biology from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2005 and 2007, respectively. He studied neurotrophin signaling and C. elegans developmental genetics. He then pursued his PhD in Computational & Systems Biology at MIT in the labs of Profs Christopher Burge and Rudolf Jaenisch and worked on various topics on epigenetics, gene regulation and alternative splicing in stem cells, reprogramming, cancer metastasis, erythropoiesis and differentiation. Cheng and colleagues identified H3K27ac as a signature for active enhancers. He analyzed alternative splicing in epithetlial-mesenchymal transition, cancer metastasis as well as erythropoiesis and identified splicing factors regulating these processes. He constructed CRISPR-on, an artificial RNA-guided activator based on CRISPR/Cas. After graduating in 2014, he joined the Jackson Laboratory at Bar Harbor, ME, as one of the first JAX scholars where he continued to work on understanding and improving the CRISPR/Cas technology. In July 2015, he started his own lab as an assistant professor at the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine campus at Farmington, CT.

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Selected Publications

Highlighted Abstract

Developmental programs are controlled by transcription factors and chromatin regulators, which maintain specific gene expression programs through epigenetic modification of the genome. These regulatory events at enhancers contribute to the specific gene expression programs that determine cell state and the potential for differentiation into new cell types. Although enhancer elements are known to be associated with certain histone modifications and transcription factors, the relationship of these modifications to gene expression and developmental state has not been clearly defined. Here we interrogate the epigenetic landscape of enhancer elements in embryonic stem cells and several adult tissues in the mouse. We find that histone H3K27ac distinguishes active enhancers from inactive/poised enhancer elements containing H3K4me1 alone. This indicates that the amount of actively used enhancers is lower than previously anticipated. Furthermore, poised enhancer networks provide clues to unrealized developmental programs. Finally, we show that enhancers are reset during nuclear reprogramming.

Research HighlightOctober 31, 2019
Improving transgene research with split selectable markers
JAX Assistant Professor Albert Cheng led a team to develop split selectable markers, a method that can indicate the successful integration of multiple transgenes.
Press ReleaseJanuary 10, 2018
$3.2 million grant to JAX scientist for epigenetic studies to advance precision medicine
A grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute to JAX Assistant Professor Albert Cheng, Ph.D., will fund the creation of a molecular “toolkit” to explore the effects of epigenetic modifications
Search MagazineMay 06, 2016
Molecular marvels
Albert Cheng, Ph.D., is taking the key attributes of CRISPR/Cas and making it more versatile.
Press ReleaseJune 24, 2015
Albert Cheng, Ph.D., expert in genome editing and gene regulation, joins faculty
One of Cheng’s recent achievements is the development of a new technique to activate multiple genes in mouse or human cells to help scientists understand transcription networks that underlie a variety of human diseases.

Research HighlightSeptember 20, 2019
An epigenetic eraser
The genome editing tool, Casilio, can be used to efficiently remove methyl groups from DNA and activate expression of methylation-silenced genes in experimental systems. Casilio was created by Jackson Laboratory Assistant Professor Albert Cheng.
Search MagazineMay 16, 2016
Casilio unlocks the potential of CRISPR/Cas9
JAX scientists have modified CRISPR/Cas9 to make it more versatile and useful for researchers. JAX Assistant Professor Albert Cheng explains Casilio.
Press ReleaseJanuary 15, 2016
Casilio gives CRISPR-Cas an upgrade
A new gene regulation and labeling platform dubbed "Casilio" is expanding researchers' ability to study gene function and chromosome structure.

Albert Cheng, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

About Albert Cheng, Ph.D.

Selected Publications

Highlighted Abstract

Improving transgene research with split selectable markers

$3.2 million grant to JAX scientist for epigenetic studies to advance precision medicine

Molecular marvels

Albert Cheng, Ph.D., expert in genome editing and gene regulation, joins faculty

An epigenetic eraser

Casilio unlocks the potential of CRISPR/Cas9

Casilio gives CRISPR-Cas an upgrade